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.
This study was conducted in a gay bathhouse in Hangzhou,
China.
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.
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.
- 1Department of HIV/STD Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- 2Nanjing Medical University School of Public Health, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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