Study on the characteristics of male-to-male sexual behaviors among male university students who have sex with men in Beijing, China

Objective To understand the characteristics of male-to-male sexual behaviors and provide scientific evidence for further behavioral intervention among university students who are men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing. Methods University MSM students were mainly recruited via the internet. Data including demographic characteristics, male-to-male sexual behaviors, history of HIV antibody testing and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) infection were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results A total of 157 participants completed the questionnaire. The average age of initiating the male-to-male sex was 19.72.9 years old, 30% encountered a casual partner, and 55% did not use condoms. In the past 6 months, near to 60% had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse and the median of male sex partners was 2, ranging from 0 to 99. Less than 3% had ever used drugs; 14% had participated in group sex; 11% had ever had a commercial sex; 27% had been to a gay bathhouse and of those approximately 60% had sex with a man. Concerning making friends, 44% preferred a MSM student. Those participants whose sex partners were all students accounted for 10%. 45% had tested for HIV and around 90% expressed that they would avoid infecting other people if they were HIV positive. Approximately 20% of the participants had been clinically diagnosed as contracting STDs. Multivariable analysis showed that contracting STDs was independently associated with self-identified as homosexual, having had sex with a male casual partner in the past 6 months, and having ever been to a gay bathhouse. Conclusion Risky sexual behaviors are common among university MSM students and interventions are urgently needed.