The Characteristics and Risk Factors of Web-Based Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Eastern China: Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Finding casual sex partners on the internet has been considered a huge challenge for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the characteristics and risk factors of finding causal sex partners on the internet among MSM in Zhejiang Province, China. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were enrolled by 4 community-based organizations (CBOs) and 10 Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) clinics through advertisements in bathrooms, bars, and gay hook-up apps from June to December 2018. A CBO- or physician-assisted survey was conducted to collected information on finding casual sex partners, perceived HIV infection, and HIV risk behaviors. RESULTS: Among 767 participants, 310 (40.4%) reported finding causal sex partners on the internet. Factors associated with finding casual sex partners on the internet included watching pornographic videos on the internet more than once a week (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.881, 95% CI 1.201-2.948), discussing “hooking-up online” with friends (aOR=4.018, 95% CI 2.910-5.548), and perceiving that the likelihood of HIV infection among casual sex partners sought on the internet was “medium” (aOR=2.034, 95% CI 1.441-2.873) or “low” (aOR=2.548, 95% CI 1.524-4.259). Among the participants who reported finding casual sex partners on the internet, 30.2% (91/310) reported having unprotected sex with casual sex partners encountered on the internet in the past 6 months. On multivariate logistic regression analyses, knowing the HIV infection status of casual sex partners sought on the internet was significantly associated with performing inserted intercourse (aOR=1.907, 95% CI 1.100-3.306) and a decreased risk of inconsistent condom use (aOR=0.327, 95% CI 0.167-0.642). CONCLUSIONS: Web-based casual sexual behavior is becoming more prevalent, and the rate of unprotected sex among MSM in Zhejiang Province is high. Future HIV prevention approaches should emphasize the importance for MSM to proactively determine the HIV infection status of potential casual sex partners sought on the internet.