ObjectiveTo investigate the acceptability of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its influencing factors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and to provide information for promoting the treatment as a preventive strategy in Shanghai.
MethodsFrom January 2015 to June 2017, newly reported MSM infected with HIV were selected as research objects, and a total of 193 HIV-positive MSM who did not receive ART participated in the study.By means of self-designed questionnaire were collected general demographic information, awareness of AIDS knowledge, behavior characteristic, physical condition, cognition of early ART, acceptability of early ART etc.
ResultsThe awareness rate for early ART was only 14.5% among HIV-positive MSM, and the rate of acceptability of early ART 82.4%.Univariate analysis showed that the factors significantly with acceptability of early ART were thinking HIV could be cured, worrying about medication compliance, thinking early ART could prevent partners from infection, believing that improving the survival rate of HIV, could delay the disease development, worrying others would suspect them of having HIV, thinking it was necessary to carry out early ART among MSM, all P < 0.05.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors significantly with acceptability of early ART were thinking HIV could be cured(OR=4.60, 95%CI:1.45~14.61), thinking early ART could delay the disease development(OR=4.58, 95%CI:1.11~18.94), and thinking early ART could prevent partners from infection(OR=3.56, 95%CI:1.29~9.78).
ConclusionThe rate of acceptability of early ART among HIV-positive MSM is high in Shanghai, but as the awareness rate for early ART is relatively low, we should strengthen the mobilization and publicity of early ART, improve the cognition of early ART among HIV-positive MSM, and promote the treatment as a preventive strategy, which will help reduce HIV spreading.
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