Consistently high HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Chengdu city from 2009 to 2014

Abstract

To describe the trends of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu city, China, consecutive cross-sectional surveys were conducted by the Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention. These surveys were carried out between 2009 and 2014 according to the protocol of the national HIV Sentinel Surveillance System. For the 2422 MSM who participated in the survey, the overall HIV prevalence was 15.5% (375/2422, 95% CI 14.0–16.9%). Between 2009 and 2014, the HIV prevalence of MSM remained high, with HIV-positivity rates of 15.0%, 15.1%, 16.3%, 13.9%, 17.8% and 14.0% each year respectively (χ2 for trend = 0.008, P = 0.931). However, the majority (89.8%) of participants had had anal sex in the six months prior to the interview, and the percentage always using condoms during anal sex increased over the study period (36.7% in 2009, 39.8% in 2010, 36.9% in 2011, 46.2% in 2012, 65.1% in 2013, 49.0% in 2014; Chi-square for trend = 49.883, P < 0.001). HIV prevalence among MSM in Chengdu city has remained high. Given the continuing high levels of unprotected anal intercourse and high HIV prevalence among MSM, more effective intervention strategies are required to increase the coverage of MSM by risk-reduction interventions and to promote HIV testing among this population.