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Possible Increase in HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Guangzhou, China: Results from a Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey

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Abstract

A respondent-driven sampling survey was conducted to investigate HIV related serological and behavioral characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou, China, and to identify associated factors potentially driving the epidemic. Respondent- Driven Sampling Analysis Tool and SPSS were used to generate adjusted estimates and to explore associated factors. Three hundred seventy-nine eligible participants were recruited. The adjusted prevalence of HIV and current syphilis infection are 5.2% and 17.5% respectively. 60.3% have unprotected anal sex in the past 6 months. Unprotected anal sex, having receptive anal sex and current syphilis infection are significant factors associated with HIV infection. The potential for a rapid rise of HIV and syphilis infections among MSM in Guangzhou exists. Targeted interventions with voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services are needed to address the epidemic, with a focus on such subgroups as those of with current syphilis, and non-official Guangzhou residence status.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant 49277) for funding this study. We feel indebted to MSM volunteers and venue owners who help the mobilization and organization efforts during the field surveys and participants who voluntarily participated. We also want to thank staff of Section of AIDS Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for their excellent work on this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 510080, Guangzhou, China

    Fei Zhong, Huifang Xu, Ming Wang, Lirui Fan, Fang Wen & Yingru Liang

  2. Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 510300, Guangzhou, China

    Peng Lin, Ye Wang, Qun He & Yan Li

  3. San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, 94102-6033, USA

    H. Fisher Raymond

  4. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Beijing Representative Office, 100027, Beijing, China

    Jinkou Zhao

  5. Ping’an International Financial Center, 1901 Tower B, No. 1–3 Xinyuan South Road, 100027, Beijing, Chaoyang District, China

    Jinkou Zhao

Authors
  1. Fei Zhong
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  2. Peng Lin
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  3. Huifang Xu
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  4. Ye Wang
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  5. Ming Wang
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  7. Lirui Fan
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  8. Yan Li
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  9. Fang Wen
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  10. Yingru Liang
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  11. H. Fisher Raymond
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  12. Jinkou Zhao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinkou Zhao.

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Fei Zhong and Peng Lin contributed equally to this paper.

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Zhong, F., Lin, P., Xu, H. et al. Possible Increase in HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Guangzhou, China: Results from a Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. AIDS Behav 15, 1058–1066 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-009-9619-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-009-9619-x

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