[A study on the estimation of the size of male homosexual population].
OBJECTIVE
To study the practical survey method on estimating the size of male homosexual population.


METHODS
Nine male homosexual gathering spots were selected and three methods as division method, capture-mark-recapture method and multiplier method were applied in counting the numbers of homosexual men in one city in Sichuan province.


RESULTS
Number of counting through division method was 877 and the three numbers through capture-mark-recapture method were 1408, 1207 and 949 respectively. However, appropriate data was not obtained by multiplier method.


CONCLUSIONS
Division method was easy to operate with its high credibility, but costly. Capture-mark-recapture method was less costly less both in capital and time, and the results could be testified to each other. Multiplier method should be modified before applied to obtain reliable information.
Luan
Rong-sheng
RS
Department of Epidemiology, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Zeng
Gang
G
Zhang
Da-peng
DP
Cheng
Feng
F
Luo
Lei
L
Lu
Fan
F
Wang
Bin
B
Liu
Gang
G
Liang
Bo-heng
BH
D002681:China; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*