Level of AIDS and HIV knowledge and sexual practices among sexually transmitted disease patients in China.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about sex practices that increase the risk of contracting HIV infection or the level of HIV and AIDS knowledge among sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients in China.


OBJECTIVE
To describe AIDS and HIV knowledge, sexual practices, and factors associated with never using condoms among patients at an STD clinic in Jinan, China.


METHODS
Clinic patients (n = 498) were randomly sampled to answer AIDS and HIV knowledge questions and to report sexual practices, including condom use.


RESULTS
Patients had low levels of AIDS and HIV knowledge and engaged in high-risk sex behaviors. The majority of patients reported having had multiple sex partners. When having sex, few men and no women reported always using condoms. Gender, age, residence, AIDS and HIV knowledge, and having multiple sex partners were significantly associated with never using condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
STD clinic patients report having engaged in high-risk sex behaviors. More research is needed to better understand the factors relevant to developing risk-reduction interventions for these patients in China.
Wang
J
J
Center for Intervention, Treatment, and Addictions Research, School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA. jichuan.wang@wright.edu
Jiang
B
B
Siegal
H
H
Falck
R
R
Carlson
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*