OBJECTIVE

To investigate incidence of HIV infection and identify associated risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in common bathing pools in Tianjin.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted among the MSM recruited in a common bathing pool in Tianjin from 2011 to 2013. A total of 733 MSM were surveyed to obtain the information about their sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related knowledge awareness and sexual behaviors, and subsequent follow-up surveys were carried out every four months. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for HIV infection.

RESULTS

A total of 59 HIV infection cases were found in the 2.5-years follow-up survey. The cumulative follow-up time was 7384.9 person-months. The incidence rate of HIV infection was 9.59/100 person-year. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that young age, low score of HIV/AIDS knowledge awareness (HR=1.82, 95%CI:1.03-2.66), having two and more sexual partners during past 6 months (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.26-2.58) and syphilis (HR=2.36, 95%CI:1.31-3.27) were significantly associated with HIV infection in this MSM cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Low score of HIV/AIDS knowledge awareness, young age, having two and more sexual partners during past 6 months and syphilis were the risk factors for HIV infection in MSM in common bathing pools. It is necessary to strengthen the HIV surveillance and intervention in this population.