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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 1/2014

01-01-2014 | Original Paper

Associations Between Perceived Characteristics of the Peer Social Network Involving Significant Others and Risk of HIV Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

Authors: Chun Hao, Joseph T. F. Lau, Xiuping Zhao, Haitao Yang, Xiping Huan, Hongjing Yan, Jing Gu

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

The HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China is severe. Peer can induce risky and preventive behaviors among MSM. We interviewed 220 MSM who had at least one significant other who was a peer MSM (SOPM). Interviews were conducted at two gay venues in Suzhou, China, which reported five HIV-related outcomes: HIV (8.2 %), syphilis (16.4 %), self-reported sexually transmitted infection symptoms (14.6 %), unprotected anal intercourse (UAI; 58.6 %) and having had taken up HIV testing (40.4 %). Adjusting for significant background variables, participants’ perceived characteristics of the social network of SOPM, such as practicing risk behavior (e.g. UAI) or preventive behaviors (e.g. HIV antibody testing), or possessing HIV-related perceptions (e.g. dislike in condom use), were significantly associated with some of the five aforementioned outcomes (p < 0.05). Peer education and peer-based interventions involving significant others are hence potentially important in HIV prevention targeting MSM. Future pilot intervention studies are warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Associations Between Perceived Characteristics of the Peer Social Network Involving Significant Others and Risk of HIV Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China
Authors
Chun Hao
Joseph T. F. Lau
Xiuping Zhao
Haitao Yang
Xiping Huan
Hongjing Yan
Jing Gu
Publication date
01-01-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0492-2

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