Prevalence of and factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse with regular and nonregular male sexual partners among newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men in China

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of, and multi-dimensional factors associated with, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with regular male sexual partners ('regular partners') and nonregular male sexual partners ('nonregular partners') among newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu, China.

Methods: A total of 225 newly diagnosed HIV-positive MSM were interviewed using a combined interviewer-computer-assisted method in Chengdu, China.

Results: The prevalence of UAI with regular and nonregular partners since diagnosis was 27.7% and 33.8% among participants reporting having sex with regular and nonregular partners (n = 159 and 133), respectively. Adjusted analysis showed that: (1) cognitive variables based on the Health Belief Model (perceived susceptibility to HIV transmission and perceived severity of the consequences of HIV transmission, perceived barriers and perceived self-efficacy related to consistent condom use), (2) emotion-related variables (worry about transmitting HIV to others), (3) psychological factors (post-traumatic growth) and (4) socio-structural factors (perceived partners' responsibility for condom use) were significantly associated with UAI with regular and/or nonregular partners.

Conclusions: Interventions are warranted, and should be designed with consideration of multi-dimensional factors and be partner type-specific.

Keywords: multi-dimensional factors; newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men; nonregular male sexual partners; regular male sexual partners; unprotected anal intercourse.