Study on sexual behaviors and sexual networks based on online social networking among young-middle age MSM

Abstract

Objective To understand the characteristics of high-risk behaviors and sexual relationship networks of young and middle-aged men who have sex with men (MSM) based on the online social networking .

Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys were conducted among MSM recruited through Blued (Group B), WeChat (Group V) and offline venues (Group C). We analyzed and compared the similarities and differences in high-risk behaviors and sexual relationship networks of MSM belonged to different group.

Results There were 197 people participating in the investigation and the median age (interquartile) was 35 years old (30, 42 years old), and 85, 66, and 46 people in Group B, Group V, and Group C, respectively. There were no statistical differences in age, education, marital status, occupation, and household registration among the three groups. In the past 6 months, referring to the Group B, Group V, and Group C respectively, the median number (interquartile) of male sexual partners was 6 people (3, 10), 5 people (2, 8), 5 people (2, 9)( P>0.05); the median number (interquartile) of sexual behaviors was 7 times (4, 17), 6 times (3, 13) and 6 times (3, 15)( P>0.05), and the percentage of adherence to using condoms was 38.8%, 47.0% and 30.4% ( P>0.05). Regarding the Group B, Group V, and Group C respectively, there were 95.2%, 92.4% and 89.1% ( P<0.05) seeking sexual partners through online social interaction, 45.9%, 16.7% and 26.1% ( P<0.001) worried about infecting HIV, and 54.1%,75.8% and 60.9% ( P<0.05) tested HIV during the past 1 year actively. There were 44, 30 and 23 individuals in the group B, group V and group C reported the sexual relationship networks, respectively. And compared with the non - responders in each group, there are no statistically significant differences in the demographic and sexual behavior characteristics of responders . The average network densities of groups B, V, and C are 0.193, 0.245, and 0.241, respectively. There are significant differences in the characteristics of the sexual relationship network between Group B and Group V objects which are both internet social networks. And, the network characteristics of Group V objects are closer to Group C. Compared to group V and C, Group B has lower average relative in-degree centrality, average in-closeness centrality, average in-betweenness centrality, and higher out-degree centrality, average out-closeness centrality.

Conclusions MSM is characterized by multiple sex partners and low condom usage, There are differences in the characteristics of MSM’s sexual relationship network formed by different online social interactions, and further research is needed.

Abstract

摘要： 目的 了解中青年男男性行为者(men have sex with men,MSM)基于网络社交感染性传播疾病的高危行为及 性关系网络特征。 方法 通过 Blued(B 组)、微信(V 组)和线下场所(C 组)招募 MSM 开展横断面问卷调查，分析各组 MSM 的高危行为及性关系网络异同点。 结果 共有 197 人(B、V、C 组分别有 85 人、66 人和 46 人)参加调查，年龄中位 数(四分位数) M( P ， P )为 35(30，42)岁。三组对象年龄、文化程度、婚姻状态、职业、户籍差异均无统计学意义。过去25 756 个月，B、V 和 C 组男性性伴人数中位数(四分位数)分别是 6(3，10)人、5(2，8)人和 5(2，9)人( P>0.05)；男性性行为人次数中位数(四分位数)分别是 7(4，17)人次、6(3，13)人次和 6(3，15)人次( P>0.05)，坚持用安全套比例分别为 38.8%、 47.0% 和 30.4%( P>0.05)；B、V 和 C 组分别有 95.2%、92.4% 和 89.1% 的对象曾通过线上途径寻找性伴( P<0.05)；B、V 和 C 组各有 45.9%、16.7% 和 26.1% 的对象非常担心感染 HIV( P<0.001), 54.1%、75.8% 和 60.9% 的对象在过去一年主动检测 过 HIV( P<0.05)。B、V 和 C 组分别有 44 人、30 人及 23 人报告性关系个体中心网络；各组应答者与未应答者相比，人口 学及性行为等特征因素差异均无统计学意义。B、V 和 C 组的平均网络密度分别为 0.193、0.245、0.241。同为网络社交 的 B 组和 V 组对象的性关系网络特征存在明显差异，其中 V 组对象网络特征与 C 组较为接近；B 组平均相对入度、平均 入接近中心度和平均中介中心度均低于 V、C 组对象 ，且 平均相对出度 、平 均出接近中心度均高于 V、C 组对象。 结论 MSM 表现为多性伴、安全套使用率较低等特点，不同的网络社交形成的 MSM 者性关系网络特征存在差异，需开 展进一步研究。