Introduction

Due to HIV prevention efforts, the overall prevalence of HIV in China remains low; however, the rate of HIV infection has increased dramatically in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population1. It was estimated that sexually-active MSM accounted for 2–4% of the total sexually-active men in China2. However, in 2016, MSM accounted for 27.6% (34,399 cases) of the total estimated new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS in China3. In addition, the percentage was more than 10 times higher than that in 2006 which was 2.5%1. In 2014, the percentage of people living with HIV in the MSM population was the highest among all the high-risk AIDS groups in China (7.7%)1. A leading risk behaviour of HIV infection among MSM is unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), in which approximately half of Chinese MSM have reported participating in1,4,5. MSM might also have unprotected sex with women which could also contribute to the rate of HIV infection within the general population1. As a key at-risk population for HIV infection, MSM require focused attention for HIV prevention1,4. In addition, intervention efforts aimed at reducing UAI may facilitate a reduction in HIV transmission6. The development of effective interventions should also take into account multiple related factors that contribute to HIV high-risk behaviour within the MSM population5,6.

Taken as a whole, individual, psychosocial, social, and structural factors mutually amplify the risk of HIV infection among MSM7,8. The reciprocal relations among stigma, mental health, and HIV-related risk behaviour have been reported among MSM in the United States9,10. Homosexuality-related stigma is prevalent in China owing to the fact that homosexuality is against traditional Chinese values, which emphasizes family continuity11. Although the positive relation between homosexual stigma and UAI has been well documented in previous studies10,12,13,14, few studies have reported this in China11. Mental distress is also a serious problem among MSM and is more prevalent among MSM than among heterosexual men15,16. Compared with a general population of men, MSM in the U.S. Urban Men’s Health Study reported a 2.7-fold greater risk of distress and depression16. A growing body of research has demonstrated that poor mental health is a contributing factor to HIV risk behaviour among MSM17,18.

Community engagement refers to the process of working collaboratively with groups of people connected by issues influencing their lives19. Among HIV-infected populations, community engagement is positively associated with psychosocial and physical health20. As a socially marginalized population, MSM may also benefit from community engagement21. Community-based organizations (CBOs), which are significant vehicles for community engagement for MSM, play a more cost-effective role in the AIDS response than government facilities among Chinese MSM as they offer increased access to available HIV services22,23. However, there is little information available in the literature about the association between community engagement and HIV risk behaviour in Chinese MSM.

Several recent studies have suggested that childhood abuse is a risk factor for HIV sexual risk behaviour among MSM24,25. In addition, a substantial proportion of MSM have experienced childhood abuse26. Childhood abuse refers to physical, sexual, or psychological mistreatment, especially by a parent or other caregiver25. Studies have focused on the association of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and HIV risk behaviour among MSM; those who have experienced CSA were more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviour27,28. Besides CSA, little is known about the influence of other types of childhood abuse on HIV risk behaviour among the MSM population24. Additionally, it has been reported that physical abuse is much more common than sexual abuse during childhood24,29.

In this paper, we explore the association of various factors with UAI, including homosexuality-related stigma, mental health, history of childhood abuse (both physical abuse and mental abuse), community engagement, and HIV knowledge. This insight into UAI and various associated factors may help facilitate the development of targeted HIV intervention measures among Chinese MSM.

Results

Participant characteristics

Of the 365 individuals who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to provide written informed consent, 342 (93.7%) completed the survey. The mean age of the 342 participants was 28.48 years, with a standard deviation of 7.18 years. Within the study sample, 29.2% of the participants only completed middle school or below while 42.7% completed secondary technical school or high school. Additionally, 77.2% of the participants had a monthly income of less than 3000 yuan. Most of the surveyed MSM were single (262, 76.6%).

For the anal sex role, 142 (41.5%) reported themselves as undertaking the insertive anal sex role with their male partners, 106 (31.0%) reported themselves as the receptive anal sex role, and the rest (94, 27.5%) were versatile. More than half of the respondents (117, 51.8%) had engaged in UAI. Only two of the basic characteristics (age and education level) were significantly associated with UAI. The associations of socio-demographic and anal sex role characteristics with UAI are detailed in Table 1.

Table 1 Simple logistic analysis of socio-demographic characteristics and anal sex role associated with UAI among Chinese MSM (n = 342).
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Mental health

In our study sample, 169 respondents (49.4%) had psychological problems as per the cut-off point of four or greater on the GHQ-12. The distribution of the GHQ-12 item scores is presented in Table 2. The most prevalent mental health problems reported by the participating MSM were seldom or never feeling reasonably happy (170, 49.7%), usually or more than usually under stress (169, 49.4%), and thinking of oneself as worthless (154, 45.0%).

Table 2 Descriptive statistics of GHQ-12 among Chinese MSM (n = 342).
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Homosexual stigma

The mean of SSS-S was 2.26 ± 0.91. Respondents obtained higher scores on the affective dimension (2.46 ± 0.80) than on the behavioural (2.14 ± 1.03) and cognitive (2.16 ± 1.01) dimension. In addition, the item “fearing that others would know that they are MSM” scored the highest (3.01 ± 1.09). The details of SSS-S are displayed in Table 3.

Table 3 Descriptive statistics of SSS-S among Chinese MSM (n = 342).
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Factors associated with UAI

Table 4 shows the results of simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis of associated factors with UAI. The simple logistic regression results showed that all the explored variables were significantly associated with UAI among MSM (p < 0.05). After adjusting for the significant socio-demographic variables (age and education level) in the multivariable logistic regression model, the three variables that were significantly and positively associated with UAI were poorer mental health (AOR: 7.16; 95% CI: 3.14–16.31), self-stigma (AOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.00–2.34) and the experience of physical abuse in the childhood (AOR: 5.85; 95% CI: 1.77–19.30). The two significantly and negatively associated factors were the number of CBO affiliations (number = 1: AOR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04–0.17; number> = 2: AOR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01–0.09; reference group: number = 0) and the frequency of community activity engagement (occasionally: AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.21–1.06; always: AOR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08–0.45; reference group: never) (Table 4).

Table 4 Simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors associated with UAI among Chinese MSM (n = 342).
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Discussion

Among all the related factors in our study, UAI was best associated with poorer mental health (AOR: 7.16; 95% CI: 3.14–16.31) among MSM. Other studies conducted in the United States and India have also found that mental factors, such as depression and substance use, are associated with sexual risk taking among MSM30,31,32. In addition, the combination of prevention efforts of behavioural interventions and mental health treatment has been demonstrated to improve the effectiveness of reducing HIV transmission risk behaviour33,34. Furthermore, approximately half of the participants (49.4%) in our study had mental health problems. Storholm ED et al. implied that MSM may be more likely to seek mental health services than their heterosexual counterparts because they suffer higher rates of mental health problems35. However, the EXPLORE study in the US found that only 9.71–23.85% of MSM in different age groups are receiving psychological counselling36. The low prevalence of mental health service utilization may be explained by the fact that MSM are afraid of discussing their sexual orientation openly or the lack of MSM-friendly medical services35.

Internalized homosexual stigma is a big psychosocial problem for Chinese MSM11. In addition, our results showed that the self-stigma against their sexual minority status was significantly related to UAI (p < 0.05) among MSM, which was consistent with the findings of studies conducted in India, Uganda, and Vietnam12,13,14. Choi KH et al. argued that usage of social support coping and avoidant coping strategies could help to mediate and lessen the direct relation between MSM stigma and HIV risk37. Mental health and psychosocial problems frequently co-occur among MSM, and prevention strategies addressing co-occurring risk factors that interact to produce a heightened HIV risk could improve the efficacy of current HIV behaviour interventions12,33.

We found that 10.5% of MSM in this study had experienced childhood physical abuse. In addition, MSM in our study who had a history of childhood physical abuse were more likely to engage in UAI (AOR: 5.85; 95% CI: 1.77–19.30). A population-based study in Washington state showed that for men, childhood physical abuse was related to a 3-fold increase in HIV high-risk behaviours (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3–7.9), including unprotected anal sex38. Schilder AJ et al. suggested that the potential pathways linking childhood physical abuse to UAI might be that childhood physical abuse placed MSM at an increased risk of UAI by affecting their motivation, cognitive and behavioural coping strategies, risk appraisal, and ultimately, HIV risk behaviour25. As noted in other studies, other HIV risk behaviours are also associated with higher rates of childhood physical abuse among MSM, such as having multiple sex partners and using methamphetamine24,26. In addition, a previous study suggested that it may be helpful to conduct family-based interventions on childhood abuse focusing on psychoeducation, enhancing communication between family members, and coping skills39. Thus, efforts to enhance the effectiveness of interventions for UAI among MSM should consider the possibility of a history of childhood physical abuse25,26.

The results also showed that community engagement was negatively related to UAI among MSM (p < 0.05). The involvement of MSM-related CBOs has shown to facilitate AIDS interventions, such as increased HIV testing rates, retention in care, and adherence to treatment19,22. However, Halkitis PN et al. implied that affiliation to the MSM community may either protect against or increase the HIV risk8. Access to a MSM community in the absence of norms promoting safer sexual behaviours may lead to greater sexual risk taking8,40. CBOs have a limited role in China’s AIDS response due to insufficient funds, an unfavourable policy environment, and an incomplete working mechanism1,19. In addition, in 2014, the number of CBOs involved in the AIDS response decreased because certain international cooperative AIDS projects were over. Therefore, the Chinese government should provide the funding necessary to create a quality assurance system to support their involvement in the AIDS response1. In Sichuan Province, China, an official evaluation system was established to assess the capabilities of CBOs in the AIDS response, with the aim of improving standard management1.

There are limitations to this study that should be acknowledged. First, all participants were enrolled by convenience in one city of China. This may limit the generalisability of the findings. Additionally, most of the participants were of low socioeconomic status (SES). As such, this may result in a difference of associations (direction and magnitude) between variables with other studies of more representative samples. Further research should involve more people of middle to high SES. Second, 6.3% of the initially recruited MSM refused to finish the survey, which may lead to an underestimate of the study outcomes as MSM with greater internalized stigma may be less likely to participate. Third, the anal sex role of UAI was also an important predictor, and its association with the study measures should be explored in future research. Fourth, we just used 2 self-designed questions to assess community engagement, and the reliability of this measure was moderate. Some standardized instruments should be used to make the results more reliable. Last, its cross-sectional design prevents us from establishing a causal relation between UAI and the risk factors examined.

Our findings show that multiple factors are related to the occurrence of UAI among MSM who are at risk for HIV infection. These findings have important implications for AIDS prevention and intervention programs. It appears necessary to incorporate mental health services, eliminate homosexual stigma, and facilitate MSM-related community engagement into future intervention strategies to prevent UAI among Chinese MSM. Special attention should also be given to the subgroup with a history of childhood physical abuse, as they appear to be more likely to engage in UAI. These findings support the need for an integrated UAI intervention for MSM.

Methods

Ethics statement

The Bioethics Advisory Commission of China Medical University approved this study. The participants were informed about the purpose of the study and, prior to the start of the study, were assured that their privacy would be protected. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. All methods in this study were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Study population and procedures

A convenience sample was recruited from Dalian, in Liaoning province, which is situated in the northeast region of China. The inclusion criteria were that participants had anal intercourse with men in the previous 6 months, were 18 years of age or older, were assigned as male at birth and were without cognitive impairment. In total, 365 participants were recruited from gay bars, gay saunas, and parks between January and March 2016 with the support of local Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) branches. All participants completed a self-administered questionnaire voluntarily.

Measures

Socio-demographic information

Participants reported their age, highest level of education, monthly income, and current relationship status.

Unprotected anal intercourse

One question assessed for the experience of UAI (yes vs. no). UAI was defined as having had at least one episode of anal intercourse with any male sex partner without a condom in the past 6 months.

Anal Sex role

Participants were asked to report their anal sex role. It was measured with one question “what’s your usual anal sex role with male partners in your life?” Response categories were “exclusively receptive”, “mostly receptive, sometimes insertive”, “versatile”, “mostly insertive, sometimes receptive”, and “exclusively insertive”. Those responding “exclusively receptive” or “mostly receptive sometimes insertive” were coded as receptive. Those responding “exclusively insertive” or “mostly insertive sometimes receptive” were coded as insertive and the rest as “versatile”.

Mental health

A short version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)41 was used in this study. It is a psychometric screening tool used to identify mental health problems experienced by an individual in the past few weeks. It contains 12 items rated on a 4 point scale, and we used a bi-modal scoring method. The responses of “less than usual” and “no more than usual” were scored equally at 0 point, and “rather more than usual” and “much more than usual” were both scored as 1 point41. All item scores were totalled to determine the final GHQ-12 score. A score of 4 or greater was considered indicative of a psychological problem41. The Cronbach’s alpha for the scale among MSM in this study was 0.93, which was satisfactory.

Self-stigma

The Self-Stigma Scale–Short Form (SSS-S)42 was adopted in this study to measure the internalized stigma that participants may have towards themselves as a result of their sexual minority status. Respondents were asked to rate the extent to which they agreed with the statements on a 4-point Likert-type scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The scale consists of 9 items assessing affective, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions of self-stigma. The scale score and each dimension’s scores were based on averaging the item scores, with a higher score indicating a stronger sense of self-stigma. The scores ranged from 1 to 4. The reliability of this instrument in our study was satisfactory, with alpha equal to 0.96.

Childhood abuse

We measured two aspects of childhood abuse, physical abuse and psychological abuse. We measured these with 2 questions developed from previous research on childhood abuse27,29,39. The two questions assessed whether an individual had ever experienced physical abuse and/or verbal abuse before 17 years of age (yes vs. no). Physical abuse was defined as the intentional use of physical force against an individual that results in harm to his/her health, survival, development or dignity. This definition includes hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, burning, poisoning or any other physical behaviour meant to hurt or injure an individual. Psychological abuse was defined as experiencing mistreatment, such as intimidation, threats, humiliation, belittling, ridiculing or verbal abuse, that makes an individual feel serious emotional harm. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.74 suggesting acceptable internal consistency.

HIV-related knowledge

HIV-related knowledge was measured with an 8-item set of questions commonly used for measuring HIV knowledge43, which covers HIV transmission routes and modes of prevention. Respondents were given the option to state whether each statement was true or false. The total number of correct answers was computed as the HIV-related knowledge score. A higher score indicated higher levels of knowledge. The reliability of this measure in our study was acceptable, with alpha equal to 0.78.

Community engagement

Two items assessed the level of community engagement in the past year. One item was “How often have you engaged in community activities in the past year?” The three possible answers to this item were never, occasionally, and always. The other item was “How many CBOs have you engaged with during the past year?” The possible answers were grouped into three categories: 0, 1–2, and more than 2. The Cronbach’s alpha of this measure was 0.61 suggesting the moderate reliability.

Statistical analysis

The proportion of missing data at the variable level ranged from 0.29% to 2.63%, and the median was 0.88%. Missing data were handled by using the EM (Expectation Maximization) method. Means, standard deviations (SD), frequencies, and percentages were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics, sex role, mental health, homosexual stigma, childhood abuse, community engagement, and UAI of MSM in this study. The association between these variables and UAI was evaluated by simple logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression. The enter procedure was used to evaluate the related factors of UAI after adjusting for significant socio-demographic variables in the multivariable logistic regression model. There existed multicollinearity among the three subscales of SSS-S. In order to adjust for this, we only entered the average score of SSS-S as the measure of overall self-stigma into the multivariate regression model to predict UAI. Values of p < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. SPSS 19.0 software for Windows was used.