Rapid HIV antibody testing among men who have sex with men who visited a gay bathhouse in Hangzhou, China: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the prevalence and correlates of rapid HIV antibody testing (RHT) among men who have sex with men (MSM) clients of gay bathhouses.


METHODS
Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.


METHODS
This study was conducted in a gay bathhouse in Hangzhou, China.


METHODS
354 MSM were validly recruited from October to December 2012. Inclusion criteria were (1) men who visited the gay bathhouse, (2) men who had engaged in sex with men during the previous 6 months, (3) first-time participants in this survey and (4) men who were HIV-negative if already tested.


METHODS
Sociodemographic measures included factors related to sexual behaviour and HIV risk perception, and the scales of HIV-related knowledge and behavioural intervention that each participant received.


RESULTS
Of the 354 participants, 222 (62.7%) were rapid tested during the previous 6 months; of them, 66.2% were tested at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and 46.8% at gay venues. The following factors were independently associated with rapid testing within the previous 6 months: sexual initiation at 20-29 years of age, ever having undergone standard testing, ever having seen a sexually transmitted disease doctor, consistent use of condom during the past 6 months, familiarity with RHT and perception of possible HIV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Publicity of RHT and risk education for HIV infection are necessary to promote RHT among MSM who visit gay bathhouses. The characteristics of sexual behaviours among those who do and do not undergo RHT should be taken into consideration while promoting the service in this group.
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Qiaoqin
Q
Ma
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Shichang
S
Xia
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Xiaohong
X
Pan
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Gaofeng
G
Cai
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Xin
X
Zhou
Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Hui
H
Wang
Nanjing Medical University School of Public Health, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Zhihang
Z
Peng
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies; D002681:China; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003954:Diagnostic Services; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
D000906:Antibodies