Partner notification in cooperation with community-based organizations among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in two Chinese cities

Abstract

The epidemic of HIV/AIDS among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) is rapidly escalating. We implemented partner notification among HIV-infected MSM, cooperating with MSM-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) in two Chinese cities from June 2014 to May 2015. CBOs participated in identifying new HIV-positive MSM utilizing rapid HIV tests and partner notification among index cases. 253 index cases were recruited and 275 sexual partners were notified and tested with 10.5% screened positive. Compared with previously identified index cases, the proportion of contactable sexual partners of newly identified index cases was higher, but the testing rate was lower (p < 0.001). Overall, 83.7% of sexual partners were casual with a contactable rate of 24.9% and a HIV testing rate of 71.1%. Having no contact information for sexual partners and fear of disclosure of HIV status are the main reasons for declining partner notification. It is feasible and effective to perform partner notification in cooperation with CBOs serving Chinese MSM.