Authors: Chun Hao Joseph T F Lau Xiuping Zhao Haitao Yang Xiping Huan Hongjing Yan Jing Gu
Publish Date: 2013/05/05
Volume: 18, Issue: 1, Pages: 99-110
Abstract
The HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men MSM in China is severe Peer can induce risky and preventive behaviors among MSM We interviewed 220 MSM who had at least one significant other who was a peer MSM SOPM Interviews were conducted at two gay venues in Suzhou China which reported five HIVrelated outcomes HIV 82 syphilis 164 selfreported sexually transmitted infection symptoms 146 unprotected anal intercourse UAI 586 and having had taken up HIV testing 404 Adjusting for significant background variables participants’ perceived characteristics of the social network of SOPM such as practicing risk behavior eg UAI or preventive behaviors eg HIV antibody testing or possessing HIVrelated perceptions eg dislike in condom use were significantly associated with some of the five aforementioned outcomes p 005 Peer education and peerbased interventions involving significant others are hence potentially important in HIV prevention targeting MSM Future pilot intervention studies are warranted
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