title: Trends in prevalence of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men. Results of 3 consecutive respondent-driven sampling surveys in Beijing, 2004 through 2006.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies tracking trends in HIV prevalence and risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China are rare. We report on 3 consecutive cross-sectional surveys measuring the prevalence of HIV, other infectious diseases, and related risk behavior among MSM in Beijing in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  We applied respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit MSM for a structured face-to-face interview on demographic characteristics and HIV risk-related behavior. Blood specimens were drawn for HIV syphilis, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 325 MSM participated in 2004, 427 in 2005, and 540 in 2006. HIV prevalence was 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 0.8) in 2004, 4.6% (95% CI: 2.2 to 7.6) in 2005, and 5.8% (95% CI: 3.4 to 8.5) in 2006. This apparent rise was accompanied by an increase in syphilis and self-reported history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), high prevalence of multiple sex partners, and low consistent condom use. HCV prevalence also increased, from 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1 to 0.8) in 2004 to 5.2% (95% CI: 2.3 to 8.2) in 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We detected a possible rising prevalence of HIV and related risk behavior among MSM in Beijing using RDS in each of 3 consecutive years. Practical measures, including MSM-friendly HIV testing, STD services, and health provider education, are urgently needed to stop the further spread of HIV in this population.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qiyun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: Sanny
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H Fisher
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Willi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McFarland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population