title: Predictors of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in a large Chinese city.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV testing is the gateway for prevention and care. We explored factors associated with HIV testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  In Chongqing City, we recruited 492 MSM in 2010 using respondent-driven sampling in a cross-sectional study. Computer-assisted self-interviews were conducted to collect information on history of HIV testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 58% of participants reported ever having taken an HIV test. Men who have sex with men who had a college degree (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.6; P = 0.008) were more likely to take a test; those who preferred a receptive role in anal sex were less likely to do so than those with insertive sex preference (AOR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.35-0.94; P = 0.03); and those who used condoms with the recent male partner during the past 6 months were more likely to get tested (AOR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.25-6.62; P = 0.01). Principal perceived barriers to testing included the following: fear of knowing a positive result, fear of discrimination if tested positive, low perceived risk of HIV infection, and not knowing where to take a test. Factors reported to facilitate testing were sympathetic attitudes from health staff and guaranteed confidentiality. Prevalence was high: 11.7% HIV positive and 4.7% syphilis positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HIV testing rate among MSM in Chongqing is still low, although MSM prevalence is high compared with other Chinese cities. Men who have sex with men preferring receptive anal sex are less likely to get testing and perceive having lower HIV risk. Along with expanded education and social marketing, a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment for HIV testing is needed.
authors: Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Lan
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Xiao
authors: Rongrong
authors: R
authors: Lu
authors: Guohui
authors: G
authors: Wu
authors: Xianbin
authors: X
authors: Ding
authors: Han-zhu
authors: HZ
authors: Qian
authors: Willi
authors: W
authors: McFarland
authors: Yuhua
authors: Y
authors: Ruan
authors: Sten H
authors: SH
authors: Vermund
authors: Yiming
authors: Y
authors: Shao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D006078:Government Programs; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
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