@Article{info:doi/10.2196/56906,
author="He, Lin
and Jiang, Tingting
and Chen, Wanjun
and Jiang, Shaoqiang
and Zheng, Jinlei
and Chen, Weiyong
and Wang, Hui
and Ma, Qiaoqin
and Chai, Chengliang",
title="Examining HIV Testing Coverage and Factors Influencing First-Time Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Zhejiang Province, China: Cross-Sectional Study Based on a Large Internet Survey",
journal="JMIR Public Health Surveill",
year="2024",
month="Jun",
day="14",
volume="10",
pages="e56906",
keywords="HIV; testing; men who have sex with men; MSM; internet; pre-exposure prophylaxis; China; mobile phone",
abstract="Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a significant population of patients infected with HIV. In recent years, several efforts have been made to promote HIV testing among MSM in China. Objective: This study aimed to assess HIV testing coverage and factors associated with first-time HIV testing among MSM to provide a scientific basis for achieving the goal of diagnosing 95{\%} of patients infected with HIV by 2030. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2023 and December 2023. MSM were recruited from the ``Sunshine Test,'' an internet platform that uses location-based services to offer free HIV testing services to MSM by visiting the WeChat official account in Zhejiang Province, China. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire on their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, substance use, and HIV testing history. A logistic regression model was used to analyze first-time HIV testing and its associated factors. Results: A total of 7629 MSM participated in the study, with 87.1{\%} (6647) having undergone HIV testing before and 12.9{\%} (982) undergoing HIV testing for the first time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that first-time HIV testing was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.55, 95{\%} CI 1.91-3.42), lower education (aOR 1.39, 95{\%} CI 1.03-1.88), student status (aOR 1.35, 95{\%} CI 1.04-1.75), low income (aOR 1.55, 95{\%} CI 1.16-2.08), insertive anal sex role (aOR 1.28, 95{\%} CI 1.05-1.56), bisexuality (aOR 1.69, 95{\%} CI 1.40-2.03), fewer sex partners (aOR 1.44, 95{\%} CI 1.13-1.83), use of rush poppers (aOR 2.06, 95{\%} CI 1.70-2.49), unknown HIV status of sex partners (aOR 1.40, 95{\%} CI 1.17-1.69), lack of awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (aOR 1.39, 95{\%} CI 1.03-1.88), and offline HIV testing uptake (aOR 2.08, 95{\%} CI 1.80-2.41). Conclusions: A notable 12.9{\%} (982/7629) of MSM had never undergone HIV testing before this large internet survey. We recommend enhancing HIV intervention and testing through internet-based platforms and gay apps to promote testing among MSM and achieve the target of diagnosing 95{\%} of patients infected with HIV by 2030. ",
issn="2369-2960",
doi="10.2196/56906",
url="https://publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e56906",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/56906",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38875001"
}