%0 Journal Article
%T Community-Based Surveys for Determining the Prevalence of HIV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhoea in Men Having Sex with Men in Hong Kong
%A H. T. H. Wong
%A K. H. Wong
%A S. S. Lee
%A R. W. M. Leung
%A K. C. K. Lee
%J Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/958967
%X Background. Community sampling of men having sex with men (MSM) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections prevalence studies poses challenges in view of problems in logistics and the hidden nature of MSM population. Methods. MSM in Hong Kong were recruited through social venues and the Internet. All participants were invited to complete a behavioural questionnaire and submit a urine specimen for HIV, Chlamydia, and gonorrhoea testing. Results. Totally, 994 MSM were recruited. No differences between venue and online-recruited respondents were identified regarding their demographics and infection status. The prevalence of HIV, Chlamydia, and gonorrhoea was 3.6% (95% CI: 2.6每5.0%), 4.7% (95% CI: 3.6每6.2%), and 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1每0.7%), respectively. Of all HIV cases, only 8.3% were aware of the infection; reflecting newly infected MSM were probably overrepresented. Some 58.3% had had HIV test within the past year, and 11.1% had CT/NG coinfection. HIV infection was associated with group sex [aOR: 2.67 (1.03每6.92)], receiving money for anal sex [aOR: 4.63 (1.12每19.18)], and unprotected anal sex with nonregular partners [aOR: 3.047 (1.16每8.01)]. Conclusion. Difference between venue- and online-recruited MSM was observed. A combination of sampling methods is complementary for epidemiology purpose. Overall, risk behaviours practised by undiagnosed HIV-positive MSM remains a cause for concern. 1. Introduction Unprotected sexual contacts have remained one of the major routes of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population globally [1每4]. In Hong Kong, despite the low HIV prevalence in the general population [5], a rising trend of new HIV reports in MSM has been observed over the last decade [3, 4]. Since 2006, HIV prevalence in MSM in the territory has been hovering around 4%, and there is concern for a continued increase with time [3, 4]. The research on risk factors is important to better inform future prevention strategies. Behavioural factors aside, effects of bacterial STI on HIV transmission have been reported in various studies [6每8]. It has been suggested that the STI could enhance HIV＊s infectivity by disrupting hosts＊ epithelial surface and by recruitment and activation of HIV target cells during inflammatory response [7]. Of all STI, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are among the commonest pathogens that afflict MSM [2, 9, 10]. Infection caused by these organisms may increase HIV viral load in semen by up to 8-folds [10]. In Hong
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jstd/2013/958967/