Survey of HIV/AIDS related knowledge and high risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen using respondent-driven sampling

ObjectiveTo survey AIDS related knowledge and high risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen using respondent-driven sampling(RDS) method.Methods MSM were recruited using RDS method in Shenzhen from October to December 2007 and were surveyed by questionnaires on HIV/AIDS related knowledge,HIV risk perception,drug-using and sex activity.ResultsA total of 351 MSM were recruited.Their average age was 27±6 years;92.3% were in Han ethnic group,78.1% were single;16.5% had college education or above;61.5% have worked in non-entertainment workplace.In past 6 months,92.9% reported having had anal sex and 86.9% reported having had oral sex with male sex partners;68.5% reported having had more than one anal sex partner and the condom use for every act of anal sex were only 57.0%;74.1% reported having had more than one oral sex partner and the condom use for every act of oral sex were only 13.1%;9.7% reported having had sex with money boys and among them 24.2% reported having not used condoms for every act;28.5% reported having ever had virginal sex with female sex partners included female commercial sex workers and the condom use rate for every act with female was 36.8%;13.7% reported having ever used drugs.Although 82.3% of them had higher score of HIV knowledge but only 6.0% felt that they had more likelihood of HIV infection.ConclusionMSM recruited in Shenzhen had lower HIV risk perception,and they had been had much more high risk behavior.Health education and behavioral intervention should be emphasized among MSM and then it will promote their behavior change and reduce the risk of AIDS/STD transmission.