A survey of condom use behaviors and HIV/STI prevalence among venue-based money boys in Shenzhen, China

AIDS Behav. 2012 May;16(4):835-46. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-9978-y.

Abstract

We examined an at-risk population in China, money boys (MBs), to evaluate their potential role for transmitting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data were collected from 418 MBs selected by time-location cluster sampling, using a self-administered computerized questionnaire and testing a small blood sample for HIV/STIs. One-third (32.1%) of participants self-identified as homosexual, 25.4% heterosexual, 33.5% bisexual, and 9.1% uncertain. Consistent condom use by participants was 70-80% with commercial sex partners, 43.9% with girlfriends, and 60-70% with other non-commercial partners. HIV prevalence was 3.3%; syphilis, 10.5%; and HSV-2, 11.0%; overall prevalence for any was 20.3%. Factors significantly associated with HIV/STIs included being minority (OR = 4.82), having only male partners (OR = 1.92), having more male casual partners in the last 6 months (OR = 1.28), being younger at sexual debut (OR = 1.14), and being older (OR = 1.11). This study emphasizes the importance of developing targeted interventions for MBs, particularly those who are homosexual or minority.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bisexuality / statistics & numerical data
  • China / epidemiology
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / blood
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • HIV Seropositivity / transmission
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Heterosexuality / statistics & numerical data
  • Homosexuality / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Workers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexuality / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Syphilis / blood
  • Syphilis / epidemiology*
  • Syphilis / transmission