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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology and Prevention
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1508952

Factors Associated with having a Steady Homosexual Partner among Men who have Sex with Men, Based on Internet Recruitment

Provisionally accepted
Peng Zhang Peng Zhang 1Weiyong Chen Weiyong Chen 2Jing Li Jing Li 1Yun Fu Yun Fu 1Fang Wang Fang Wang 1Xing Wang Xing Wang 3Zhongrong Yang Zhongrong Yang 1*
  • 1 Huzhou center for disease control and prevention, Huzhou, China
  • 2 Department of HIV/STD control and prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
  • 3 Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Objective: This study analyzed the status and factors associated with having a steady homosexual partner (HP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control strategies for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in this population. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among study participants who were MSM recruited online by a non-governmental organization in May 2024. The participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had a steady HP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the factors influencing whether the participants had a steady HP. Results: We surveyed 604 participants;211 (34.93%) had a current steady HP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older participants having a steady HP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.07)was associated with an average monthly income >6000 Chinese yuan (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.01–2.16), a belief that using enhancers such as Rush Popper increases the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection risk (aOR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.02–2.41), identification as purely homosexual (aOR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.37–2.99), having engaged in anal sex with a HP in the previous six months (aOR: 4.13; 95% CI:2.51–6.90), and knowing the HIV status of their HP (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.17–3.06). Participants less likely to have a steady HP had used condoms consistently during anal sex with a HP in the prior six months (aOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.35–0.90) and engaged in one-night stands with HPs (aOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29–0.65). Conclusion: A low proportion of participants had steady HPs (34.93%). Therefore, public education for MSM should be promoted to encourage individuals to improve their awareness of HIV infection risks. Sexual responsibility, including correct use and risks of enhancers like Rush Popper, and avoiding high-risk behaviors, such as one-night stands, is crucial to reducing the risks of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

    Keywords: Internet, Men who have sex with men, HIV, Infection, homosexual

    Received: 10 Oct 2024; Accepted: 09 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, Chen, Li, Fu, Wang, Wang and Yang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Zhongrong Yang, Huzhou center for disease control and prevention, Huzhou, China

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