Clinical Infectious Diseases
Volume 62, Issue 11, 2016, Pages 1443-1447

Hidden and mobile: A web-based study of migration patterns of men who have sex with men in China (Article) (Open Access)

Mi G. , Ma B. , Kleinman N. , Li Z. , Fuller S. , Bulterys M. , Hladik W. , Wu Z.*
  • a Global AIDS Program, China Office, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
  • b Blue Brother, Beijing, China
  • c Global AIDS Program, China Office, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China, Association of Schools of Public Health, Washington, DC, United States
  • d Global AIDS Program, China Office, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China
  • e Global AIDS Program, China Office, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China, Association of Schools of Public Health, Washington, DC, United States
  • f Global AIDS Program, China Office, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, United States
  • g Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • h National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China

Abstract

Background. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and more likely to migrate due to widespread stigma and discrimination in China. Their mobility complicates estimation of local MSM population sizes and the provision of HIV services, and may also contribute to the spread of HIV. Methods. Between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012, the visits of all individuals to the largest Chinese MSM dating website were recorded. After a predesigned de-identification procedure by the website, we analyzed Internet Protocol addresses for migration patterns. Migrants were defined as individuals who were away from their registered residence for >6 months in the last 12 months. Results. The website contained data on 794 912 MSM eligible for the study, of which 34.5% were migrants. The median age was 26 years (range, 18-61 years), and 85.5% were unmarried. Compared with nonmigrant MSM, migrants were less likely to be married to a woman (8.6% vs 13.5%; P <. 001). The 5 provinces with the highest migrant inflow ratios were Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, and Zhejiang. Eastern coastal cities were the primary destination of MSM from southwestern China. Conclusions. Preferential MSM migration may influence MSM population sizes in both originating and destination provinces, particularly for provinces with uneven inflow and outflow. MSM migration from southwestern China, which has the highest HIV prevalence in this population, to coastal cities with lower prevalence may have implications for the spread of the HIV epidemic as well as HIV care services. © 2016 The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Author Keywords

HIV/AIDS China Men who have sex with men Migration

Index Keywords

China Chinese HIV Infections Human Migration married man human single man middle aged statistics and numerical data online dating controlled study internet protocol priority journal Internet seashore men who have sex with men Homosexuality, Male male homosexuality Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult population size migrant cross-sectional study social media Adolescent Humans male residential area Article adult migration divorced person Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84971571145&doi=10.1093%2fcid%2fciw167&partnerID=40&md5=8beb77d47c0eb0bd51d49ea7e6b699c6
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw167
ISSN: 10584838
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English