Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China

# Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV globally and in China. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce HIV-related illness, improve quality of life, and decrease HIV incidence rates. Given the high vulnerability of and limited research on ART covera...

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Main Authors: Liying Wang, Chenglin Hong, Jane M. Simoni, Na He, Chenxing Li, Lingxiao Chen, Frank Wong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Inishmore Laser Scientific Publishing Ltd 2022-04-01
Series:Journal of Global Health Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.33816
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author Liying Wang
Chenglin Hong
Jane M. Simoni
Na He
Chenxing Li
Lingxiao Chen
Frank Wong
author_facet Liying Wang
Chenglin Hong
Jane M. Simoni
Na He
Chenxing Li
Lingxiao Chen
Frank Wong
author_sort Liying Wang
collection DOAJ
description # Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV globally and in China. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce HIV-related illness, improve quality of life, and decrease HIV incidence rates. Given the high vulnerability of and limited research on ART coverage in China, we describe the ART initiation rate and correlates of ART initiation using Anderson’s health service utilization model. # Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected blood samples for HIV and HCV testing and CD4 count among MSM recruited in Chengdu and Shanghai, China (N= 1,633). Using stepwise logistic regression, we explored factors associated with ART initiation postulated by Anderson’s health service utilization model. # Results More than half of the participants had not started ART (53.5%). Older age and Han ethnicity were associated with a higher probability of ART initiation. Being married, higher monthly income (> US$464.35), retirement, depression, and condomless anal sex predicted a lower probability of ART initiation. # Conclusions The ART initiation rate among MSM in this study is lower than the national level of ART coverage among all people living with HIV (PLWH) in China. ART initiation is best predicted by demographic characteristics such as age and ethnicity. Participants who are retired, married, reported depressive symptoms, and sexual risk behavior are less likely to have initiated ART. Future studies could examine whether integrating mental health and sexual health services into the current HIV care continuum is beneficial to ART initiation among MSM. Strategies should be developed to promote ART initiation among certain populations such as young MSM and ethnic minorities in China.
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spelling doaj-art-c0098ea9259447b99e43d0b01d70635c2025-08-20T02:07:23ZengInishmore Laser Scientific Publishing LtdJournal of Global Health Reports2399-16232022-04-01610.29392/001c.33816Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in ChinaLiying WangChenglin HongJane M. SimoniNa HeChenxing LiLingxiao ChenFrank Wong# Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV globally and in China. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce HIV-related illness, improve quality of life, and decrease HIV incidence rates. Given the high vulnerability of and limited research on ART coverage in China, we describe the ART initiation rate and correlates of ART initiation using Anderson’s health service utilization model. # Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected blood samples for HIV and HCV testing and CD4 count among MSM recruited in Chengdu and Shanghai, China (N= 1,633). Using stepwise logistic regression, we explored factors associated with ART initiation postulated by Anderson’s health service utilization model. # Results More than half of the participants had not started ART (53.5%). Older age and Han ethnicity were associated with a higher probability of ART initiation. Being married, higher monthly income (> US$464.35), retirement, depression, and condomless anal sex predicted a lower probability of ART initiation. # Conclusions The ART initiation rate among MSM in this study is lower than the national level of ART coverage among all people living with HIV (PLWH) in China. ART initiation is best predicted by demographic characteristics such as age and ethnicity. Participants who are retired, married, reported depressive symptoms, and sexual risk behavior are less likely to have initiated ART. Future studies could examine whether integrating mental health and sexual health services into the current HIV care continuum is beneficial to ART initiation among MSM. Strategies should be developed to promote ART initiation among certain populations such as young MSM and ethnic minorities in China.https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.33816
spellingShingle Liying Wang
Chenglin Hong
Jane M. Simoni
Na He
Chenxing Li
Lingxiao Chen
Frank Wong
Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
Journal of Global Health Reports
title Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
title_full Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
title_fullStr Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
title_full_unstemmed Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
title_short Correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China
title_sort correlates of antiretroviral therapy art initiation among hiv positive men who have sex with men msm in china
url https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.33816
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