LAUSR

Objectives: To understand the prevalence of HIV nucleic acid using internet-based dry blood spots HIV testing strategy in men who had sex with men (MSM) and to probe the factors associated with HIV infection. Methods: Using convenient sampling method, 1 375 MSM were recruited and their dry blood spots samples were collected before being mailed to the laboratories for HIV nucleic acid testing. Results were showed to these MSM on a specific website by inputting their codes to it. Non-conditional binary logistic regression method was used to identify the associated factors on HIV infection. Results: The overall proportions of HIV nucleic acid positives appeared as 9.7% (131/1 349) and HIV antibody positives as 8.3% (112/1 349). Fresh infections accounted for 14.5% (19/131) among the newly-identified HIV nucleic acid positives, and the interval was ranging from 6 to 120 days, between the laboratory testings and the closest date that experiencing high risk behavior. Risk factors that related to HIV infection would include: 30 to 39 years of age (comparing to those under the age of 30, OR=1.88, 95%CI: 1.07-3.29), ≥8 000 Yuan of monthly income (comparing to those without income, OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.19-0.96), inconsistent condom use during anal sexual contacts in the last six months (compared with those who had not anal sex or used condoms consistently in anal sex in the past six months, OR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.45-3.40), ever use of Rush Poppers (compared with those who never used Rush Poppers, OR=2.33, 95%CI: 1.49-3.64), addictive drug abuse (compared with those who never abused addictive drugs, OR=5.43, 95%CI: 2.32-12.69), and not having regular sexual partners (compared with having regular sexual partners, OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.13-2.68) etc.. Conclusions: Dry blood spots HIV nucleic acid testing could help to identify the fresh HIV infections at an early stage, so as to prevent further transmission in the MSM population, among which fresh HIV infections accounted for a fairly large proportion. It is necessary to set up programs in reducing the abuse of drugs or Rush Poppers, and to promote condom use and advocate on stable sexual partnership etc., among the MSM population.