Sexually transmitted infection testing practices among 'money boys' and general men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China: objective versus self-reported status

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Lavinia Lin, Emory University; Eric J. Nehl, Emory University; Alvin Tran, Emory University; Na He, Fudan University School of Public Health; Tony Zheng, Shanghai Piaoxue Cultural Media Ltd; Frank Y Wong, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-03
• Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © CSIRO 2014
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=SH13199
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Sexual Health
• ISSN: 1448-5028
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 94
• End Page: 96
• Grant/Funding Information: Preparation of this article was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01HD046354 to FYW) and the Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI050409 to FYW and EJN).
• Keywords: associations; testing rates; male sex workers; prevalence
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Little is known about sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). This study describes the prevalence of STI testing, associated factors and the validity of STI self-reporting among Chinese MSM. Findings indicated a high prevalence of STIs and low testing rates among MSM in Shanghai. Monthly income was significantly associated with STI testing (odds ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18 to 0.76). Depression was significantly associated with STI testing for general MSM (odds ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.17). Syphilis self-reported status had the highest validity (k = 0.33, χ2 = 3.76, 95% CI: −0.003 to 0.65). Efforts are needed to ensure that STI testing services are accessible to MSM in China. Future HIV and STI interventions should be tailored to the needs of different subsets of MSM.