Experiences of visiting female sex workers, social interaction, support and HIV infection among elderly men from rural China.

OBJECTIVES: To make clear the roles of social interaction and social support in HIV infection among elderly men who visit female sex workers (FSW). METHODS: We conducted a case-control study: 106 newly HIV (+) vs. 87 HIV (-) elderly men who visited FSW with similar age, education levels, marital statuses, monthly expenses for entertainment and migration experiences. Experiences of visiting FSW, social interaction, and intimate social support were obtained. Backward binary logistic regression was applied. RESULTS: Cases' first visit to FSW happened at the age of 44.01 ± 12.25, older than controls (33.90 ± 13.43). 23.58% cases had gotten HIV-related health education (HRHE) before, less than controls (57.47%). More cases (48.91%) "always" got material support than controls (34.25%). Less cases gave "close" (38.04%) comments toward daily life, "satisfied" (34.78%) with their sexual life, "agree" being emotional fulfilled (46.74%) than controls (71.23% ,64.38%, and 61.64%). Risky factors for HIV infection among elderly men were having 3000 YUAN and above monthly income, visiting teahouse with friends, living without spouses, visiting different FSW, visiting FSW for other reason, receiving material support from most intimate sexual partner, older age of first visit to FSW. The protective factors were receiving HRHE, visiting FSW due to loneliness, and giving positive comments toward daily life with most intimate sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly men's social interactions are mainly visiting teahouse which is a potential sexual venue. Getting HRHE is formal protective social interactions but very rare for cases (23.58%). Social support from sexual partner is not enough. Emotional support is protective meanwhile material support only is risky for becoming HIV-positive.

A Study on the Association Between Family Support and High-Risk Sexual Behavior of Elderly Men in Rural China.

Our study aimed to understand the relationship between the status of high-risk sexual behaviors of male ≥50 years old (elderly men) and their family support in a rural county-level city in Chengdu. Multi-stage sampling was used to select rural elderly men from six towns to conduct an interview questionnaire survey. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between high-risk sexual behavior and family factors. A total of 790 samples were included, and the prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior was 16.2%. Two-hundred thirty-nine men (30.3%) had three close family members. More than half of the men (n = 397) had never been provided financial support by family members (50.3%). More than half of men (n = 406) never communicate deeply with family members (51.4%). Logistic analysis reported that 50-59 years old (odds ratio [OR] = 1.928, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.070, 3.477]), unmarried, divorced/widowed, married and separated (OR = 8.232, 95% CI = [2.640, 25.673]; OR = 3.589, 95% CI = [1.713, 7.520]; OR = 3.003, 95% CI = [1.238, 7.280]) elderly men were more likely to be involved in commercial sex. Meanwhile, either never or often family financial support (OR = 0.435, 95% CI = [0.228, 0.830]; OR = 0.288, 95% CI = [0.095, 0.876]) helped elderly men to avoid commercial sex. This study predicts family factors may be affected by loneliness, life satisfaction, disposable economic condition, family responsibilities as the middle path, thus affect high-risk sexual behaviors in elderly men.

Analysis of the close contact management mode and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Chengdu, China.

With the development of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and the increase in cases, as a potential source of infection, the risk of close contact has gradually increased. However, few studies have analyzed the tracking and management of cross-regional personnel. In this study, we hope to understand the effectiveness and feasibility of existing close contact management measures in Chengdu, so as to provide a reference for further prevention and control of the epidemic. The close contact management mode and epidemiological characteristics of 40,425 close contacts from January 22, 2020, to March 1, 2022, in Chengdu, China, were analyzed. The relationship with index cases was mainly co-passengers (57.58%) and relatives (7.20%), and the frequency of contact was mainly occasional contact (70.39%). A total of 400 (0.99%) close contacts were converted into cases, which were mainly found in the first and second nucleic acid tests (53.69%), and the contact mode was mainly by sharing transportation (63.82%). In terms of close contact management time, both the supposed ((11.93 ± 3.00) days vs. (11.92 ± 7.24) days) and actual ((13.74 ± 17.47) days vs. (12.60 ± 4.35) days) isolation times in Chengdu were longer than those of the outer cities (P < 0.001). For the local clustered epidemics in Chengdu, the relationship with indexed cases was mainly colleagues (12.70%). The tracing and management of close contacts is a two-way management measure that requires cooperation among departments. Enhancing existing monitoring and response capabilities can control the spread of the epidemic to a certain extent.

Epidemiological characteristics and quarantine assessment of imported international COVID-19 cases, March to December 2020, Chengdu, China.

International flights have accelerated the global spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Determination of the optimal quarantine period for international travelers is crucial to prevent the local spread caused by imported COVID-19 cases. We performed a retrospective epidemiological study using 491 imported COVID-19 cases in Chengdu, China, to describe the characteristic of the cases and estimate the time from arrival to confirmation for international travelers using nonparametric survival methods. Among the 491 imported COVID-19 cases, 194 (39.5%) were asymptomatic infections. The mean age was 35.6 years (SD = 12.1 years) and 83.3% were men. The majority (74.1%) were screened positive for SARS-CoV-2, conducted by Chengdu Customs District, the People's Republic of China. Asymptomatic cases were younger than presymptomatic or symptomatic cases (P < 0.01). The daily number of imported COVID-19 cases displayed jagged changes. 95% of COVID-19 cases were confirmed by PT-PCR within 14 days (95% CI 13-15) after arriving in Chengdu. A 14-day quarantine measure can ensure non-infection among international travelers with a 95% probability. Policymakers may consider an extension of the quarantine period to minimize the negative consequences of the COVID-19 confinement and prevent the international spread of COVID-19. Nevertheless, the government should consider the balance between COVID-19 and socioeconomic development, which may cause more serious social and health crises.

[Change of risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men before and after recent identification of HIV diagnosis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the change of sexual behaviors before and after HIV was recently identified among men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on recently identified HIV-infected MSM in Chengdu and Tianjin. A face-to-face questionnaire interview was administrated to collect sexual behaviors within six months, before and after HIV was diagnosed. Differences in sexual behavior before and after the diagnosis were assessed, using the McNemar χ(2) test. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for sexually risk behaviors. RESULTS: Of 129 HIV-infected MSM under survey, the average age was 31.8 years and the main venue in seeking male sex partners was through Internet. The proportions of MSM with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) decreased from 70.5% before diagnosis to 16.3% after diagnosis and the percentage of having more than 1 partner decreased from 66.7% before diagnosis to 33.3% after diagnosis. After the diagnosis was made, there appeared a significant decrease in the percentage of persons who had one main partner from 72.9% to 55.0% and having casual partners declined from 62.8% to 31.0% . Data from multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors as UAI before diagnosis, more than 1 partner after diagnosis and having one main partner, were all significantly associated with UAI after diagnosis. After the diagnosis was made for UAI, risk factors for 'having more than 1 partner' after diagnosis, would include:using Internet to seek for sexual partners, after diagnosis, having one main partner but not disclosing to him. CONCLUSION: After the diagnosis was made, most HIV-infected MSM would reduce their high risk sexual behaviors but some continued to practice UAI.