AIDS-Related Behavioral Characteristics of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chongqing, China

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a high-risk group of HIV infection, and the prevalence of HIV in MSM of Chongqing, China is relatively high. For the effective prevention of HIV, this study aimed to understand the AIDS-related demographic and behavioral characteristics of MSM population in Chongqing, and provide references for the targeted prevention and control of AIDS. Methods: In this study, One hundred and fifteen MSM aged 18 to 65 were recruited voluntarily through online recruitment, “snowball method” (initial subjects were utilized to recruit peers), and peer introduction. Social demographic data including age, marital status, education level, employment, and sexual behavior characteristics including the number of sexual partners, condom use, and other factors related to HIV infection were collected. Results: Most of the MSM in the study were 18-33 years old (45.2%) and highly educated (50.4% were junior college or above), 65.2% were unmarried, 80% were employed, and 40.0% had a highly monthly income (more than 5000 RMB). In addition, the majority had multiple sexual partners and unprotected insertive sex behavior. Besides, bisexual behavior was common among MSM population. Among those MSM who reported regular female partners, nearly half of them did not always use condoms when having sex with wives or girlfriends (45.9%). Conclusions: There are multiple sexual partners, unprotected inserted sex, bisexuality and other behaviors in the MSM population, which are risk factors for HIV infection. This study recommends taking appropriate prevention and control measures against the above findings. Strengthening AIDS risk knowledge popularization and reducing sexual partners should be recommended to this group, so as to reduce the opportunity of contacting various sexual behaviors and potential partners with HIV positive. For reducing the risk of HIV infection in MSM and male partners when they have insertive sex, they should be advised to use condoms correctly and throughout. In order to reduce the possibility of HIV transmission to HIV negative partners, pre-marital and pregnancy tests including HIV testing should be provided to married couples.