Study On STD - Related Symptoms And Seeking Behavior Of Male Sexual Behavior Population

Objectives:To investigate the state of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) related symptoms and infection of HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shenzhen and Harbin. To explore the related factors of STDs related symptoms among MSM and the related factors for their health-seeking behavior.Methods:From July 2015 to November 2015, a cross-section study recruited 603 MSM in Shenzhen and Harbin was conducted, with an anonymous questionnaire to investigate the demographic characteristics, the knowledge and attitude of STDs, sexual behaviors and health-seeking behaviors for STDs among MSM. At the same time, the laboratory results of HIV and syphilis among MSM were collected, and qualitative interviews were conducted with those who were accorded with the inclusion criteria and appeared STDs related symptoms. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression model. The content of interview was arranged, coding, classified and analyzed in time after qualitative study.Results:1. The knowledge and attitude of STDs.The mean knowledge rate about STDs of MSM in this study is 79.7%,83.4% participants reported that they acquired relevant knowledge though website; 71.5% participants thought that their risk of STDs was small,5.8% reported that they were infected STDs now; 62.0% participants would be shamed on STDs; 69.3% participants would cut off sexual relationship with their partners,29.5% would keep relationship with condoms, and 1.2% would keep relationship without any preventive measures.2. Sexual behaviors.30.7% MSM had more than three sexual partners in the past six months.56.7% participants insisted on using condom in the past six months, while 25.7% could not use condom all the time, and 6.0% never use condom; 39.8% MSM expressed that they did not use condom because they trust their partners and they could avoid infections.3. STDs related symptoms and infection of HIV and syphilis.The positive rate of HIV among MSM in this study was 10.4%, the positive rate of syphilis antibody was 14.9%, and 3.8% participants were both positive on HIV and syphilis antibody; 15.4% participants appeared symptoms related to STDs, among which 80.6% appeared one symptom,15.1% two symptoms,3.2% three symptoms and 1.1% more than three symptoms; The positive rate of HIV among those who appeared relevant symptoms was higher than those not (χ2=9.324, P< 0.05).4. Health-seeking behaviors of STDs.Among the MSM with symptoms,74.2% MSM went to the medical institution for treatment,25.8% ignored it or take medicine by themselves; Among the MSM who sought treatment,91.3% participants chose comprehensive hospitals and STD specialized hospitals mainly because of their professional therapy (72.5%); 52.2% participants went to hospital immediately after they found symptoms; Some participants did not go to any medical institutes for treatment mainly because they thought it nothing serious (45.8%).5. Relevant factors of STDs related symptoms.The results of univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that inconsistent condom use in the past six months (adjusted OR=2.464, P< 0.05) was the relevant factors of STDs related symptoms.6. Relevant factors of health-seeking behavior for STDs.The results of univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that education level below junior high school (adjusted OR=4.911, P<0.05) and keep sexual behavior during symptomatic period (adjusted OR=4.766, P<0.05) were the relevant factors of health-seeking behavior for STDs.Conclusions:MSM cannot handle the knowledge of STDs well; there are hidden dangers in main way to acquire knowledge of STDs; the risk assessment of themselves on STDs is insufficient. The rate of STDs related symptoms among MSM and the positive rate of syphilis antibody as well as HIV antibody among MSM are relatively high and the HIV infection situation among those who appears STDs related symptoms in last six months is more serious. The appearance of STDs related symptoms is related to inconsistent condom use in the past six months. The congnition and action of condom use among MSM are not consistent. There is a certain amount of delay and neglect in seeking STDs health care. Lack of health-seeking behavior for STDs is related to poor education level and ignorance of STDs.