Analysis of the conditions of AIDS voluntary counseling and testing in Hangzhou, 2006

Objective The study was conducted to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of AIDS counseling and testing volunteers and the condition of HIV infection in Hangzhou in order to facilitate the development of AIDS health education and risk intervention plans in a targeted population in Hangzhou. Methods Anonymous surveys were delivered to 887 people who visited for the first time the AIDS voluntary counseling and testing clinic of the center for disease prevention and control in Hangzhou during January to December, 2006 to collect data on their socio-demographic characteristics, reasons for counseling and risk behaviors. The HIV antibody test was conducted based on their own decision. Results The 887 counseling people consisted mainly of 20 to 39-year-old male adults that accounted for 82.64%. The male to female ratio was 7.82∶1, and 66.52% of them were unmarried; 56.82% of them had a college or higher degree; 42.16% of them were MSM. The main reason for counseling was high-risk sexual behaviors (88.16%). 35.40% never used condoms in sexual activities. A total of 98.08% of the counseling people received the HIV antibody test. As a result, seven cases were positive with the detection rate of 0.80%. All positive cases were male; six of them were infected through homosexual intercourse, whereas the other through heterosexual intercourse. Conclusion Highly educated young unmarried men predominated in the counseling people. High HIV infection rates were found among the MSM group. Under the circumstances, AIDS health education for Commercial sex workers who had relatively low education level, drug addicts, migrant workers and housewives should be promoted, and measures to intervene MSM behaviors should be intensified.