Prevalence of Bisexual Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in China and Associations Between Condom Use in MSM and Heterosexual Behaviors

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of bisexual behaviors and marital status among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) and the associations between MSM's condom use and their heterosexual behaviors.

Methodology: Eight hundred ninety-six adult males in Yunnan Province, China, who reported to ever have engaged in MSM behaviors were interviewed. Data were acquired through the China-UK HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project from 2003 to 2006.

Results: Of all respondents, one-third had ever been married, 59% had ever engaged in bisexual behaviors, and 31% had done so in the past 6 months. High prevalence of inconsistent condom use was reported in heterosexual behaviors (71.9%), as well as with those who had engaged in MSM sexual behaviors in the past 6 months (30.8% with commercial sex workers and 54.7% with noncommercial sex partners) in the past 6 months. Those who did not use condoms with MSM partners were also more likely than others to not use condoms with their female sex partners (FSP). Those who had voluntary counseling and testing services were more likely than others to have used a condom in the last episode of sex with their FSP (multivariate odds ratio = 1.66).

Conclusions: The clustering of unprotected sexual behaviors with male and FSP among bisexual MSM is revealed. The bridging effects of the risk for human immunodeficiency virus transmission from the MSM population to the female population are evident.