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Prevalence and Factors Associated With HIV Self-testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Ningbo, China: A Cross-sectional Study
Yun-liang Shen
Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Dermatology, 61 Wuyuan Road, Deqing, Zhejiang, 313200, China
Corresponding Author
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Background
HIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for reducing the risk of HIV transmission. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an useful tool for increasing HIV testing frequency.This study aimed to investigate HIVST rates among men who have sex with men (MSM), the characteristics of MSM who had HIVST, and factors associated with HIVST uptake among MSM in Ningbo, China.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2019 in Ningbo,China. Participants were aged at least 18 years and having had sexual contact with men in the past year. Proportions were used for categorical variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for characteristics associated with HIVST uptake was processed by multiple logistic regression models.
Results
Among a sample of 699 MSM recruited, 38.2% had reported previous use of an HIV self-test kit. A greater proportion of HIVST Users had a higher frequency of HIV testing(≥2 times: 70.0% versus 41.2%, p<0.001) in the past one year. Factor associated with HIVST uptake was gay apps use(AOR=1.86,CI=1.13-3.05), multiple male sex partners (AOR=1.90,CI=1.29-2.80), frequency of male-male sexual contact ≥1 times per week(AOR=1.86, CI=1.30-2.66), syphilis infection(AOR=5.48, CI=2.53-11.88).
Conclusions
Further HIVST education should be strengthened for school-aged children and teenagers, and free HIVST kits may be provided to low-income high-risk MSM through gay apps and NGOs to achieve the increased HIV testing frequency.
Keywords
MSM, HIV self-testing, gay apps, associated factors, China
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 21 Sep, 2020
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Review #1 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 04 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 04 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 10 Sep, 2020
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This preprint is under consideration at AIDS Research and Therapy. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Prevalence and Factors Associated With HIV Self-testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Ningbo, China: A Cross-sectional Study
Yun-liang Shen
Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Dermatology, 61 Wuyuan Road, Deqing, Zhejiang, 313200, China
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 21 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 04 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 04 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 10 Sep, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Policy
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
HIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for reducing the risk of HIV transmission. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an useful tool for increasing HIV testing frequency.This study aimed to investigate HIVST rates among men who have sex with men (MSM), the characteristics of MSM who had HIVST, and factors associated with HIVST uptake among MSM in Ningbo, China.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2019 in Ningbo,China. Participants were aged at least 18 years and having had sexual contact with men in the past year. Proportions were used for categorical variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for characteristics associated with HIVST uptake was processed by multiple logistic regression models.
Results
Among a sample of 699 MSM recruited, 38.2% had reported previous use of an HIV self-test kit. A greater proportion of HIVST Users had a higher frequency of HIV testing(≥2 times: 70.0% versus 41.2%, p<0.001) in the past one year. Factor associated with HIVST uptake was gay apps use(AOR=1.86,CI=1.13-3.05), multiple male sex partners (AOR=1.90,CI=1.29-2.80), frequency of male-male sexual contact ≥1 times per week(AOR=1.86, CI=1.30-2.66), syphilis infection(AOR=5.48, CI=2.53-11.88).
Conclusions
Further HIVST education should be strengthened for school-aged children and teenagers, and free HIVST kits may be provided to low-income high-risk MSM through gay apps and NGOs to achieve the increased HIV testing frequency.