[Qualitative research on factors of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in China based on Blued]

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2018 Dec 6;52(12):1229-1233. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-9624.2018.12.007.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To understand the cognition and attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) towards HIV testing and explore in-depth reasons preventing them from testing. Methods: The function of "opinion" in Blued, a gay geo-social networking application (GSN), was adopted to collect qualitative data of ideas and attitudes towards HIV testing of the users between December 2017 and January 2018. The data was analyzed based on grounded theory approach. Results: 28 269 Blued users participated in the activity and 1 977 posted comments. Four key themes were identified, i.e. no/low risk of contracting HIV, stigmatization of HIV testing, long-term relationship and conventional impediments of HIV testing. Conclusion: The cognition and attitudes of the target population derived from the analysis of "opinion" function in Blued, such as the stigmatization of the behavior of HIV testing influencing the attitude of HIV testing, could help researchers build a more accurate detection and promotion strategy instead of a very general intervention on the public.

目的: 运用定性研究的方法了解男男性行为人群(MSM)对HIV检测的认知和态度,探索不愿意进行检测背后深层次的原因。 方法: 2017年12月至2018年1月,通过MSM社交软件Blued内嵌的"观点"功能收集用户对HIV检测态度和看法的定性数据。运用扎根理论对用户的评论内容进行定性分析。 结果: 共计28 269人参与了活动,其中1 977人发表了文字评论。通过对文字评论分析,发现4个与不进行HIV检测相关的核心因素,分别是无风险或低风险、检测行为被污名化、固定伴侣关系和常规阻碍因素。 结论: 利用Blued"观点"功能定性分析目标人群的认知和态度,所获得的结果诸如HIV检测行为被污名化影响检测态度等研究发现有助于构建更为精准的检测促进干预策略,而不只是实施针对全人群的泛泛措施。.

Keywords: Geo-social networking application; HIV testing; Homosexuality, male; Influential factor; Qualitative research.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / psychology*
  • Qualitative Research