Correlates of consistent condom use among young migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China

ABSTRACT

Objectives The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among men who have sex with men (MSM) has risen in China, mainly due to unprotected sexual intercourse. Migrant MSM might be more vulnerable to the risk of STIs/HIV because of their low socioeconomic status. This study aims at exploring the correlates of consistent condom use among young migrant MSM (aged 18–29 years) in Beijing.

Methods Multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results The mean age of the sample was 23.7 years. Rural-to-urban migrant MSM accounted for 46% of the sample, and urban-to-urban migrant MSM for 54%. Of 307 migrant MSM, 178 (54%) reported having used a condom every time in the last three sexual episodes with both stable and casual sexual partners. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MSM who had a low monthly income, had often experienced alcohol intoxication, did not use a condom at first sex, and had fewer lifetime male sexual partners were less likely to use condoms consistently.

Conclusions Consistent condom use among young migrant MSM was relatively low and was associated with socioeconomic status and alcohol use. Future STIs/HIV prevention programmes should strengthen empowerment, access to condoms, and reduction of alcohol consumption within this socio-economically marginalised group.

KEYWORDS:

• MSM
• Consistent condom use
• STIs/HIV prevention
• Migrants
• China

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study was supported by NIH research grant R01NR10498, by the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute of Mental Health. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Nursing Research and those of the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors thank Xiaoyi Fang, Xiuyun Lin, and other faculty and graduate students at Beijing Normal University School of Psychology for their participation in survey instrument development and field data collection. The authors also thank Joanne Zwemer for assistance in preparing the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: Drs Yingjie Liu, Shuming Li and Shulin Jiang are researchers from the Chaoyang Centre of Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, China. Drs Xiaoming Li, Liying Zhang and Bonita Stanton are faculty members at the Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Carman, and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine. The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.