289228
A qualitative analysis on health service seeking behaviors among newly diagnosed HIV positive men who have sex with men in China
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Haochu Li,
Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Joseph Lau,
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T.,, Hong Kong
Xiaoming Li, PhD,
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
In China specific HIV/AIDS health services (e.g. Four Free and One Care) have been available since 2004. However knowledge of utilizing these services among Chinese people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) remains limited. The aim of this qualitative study was therefore to examine health service seeking behaviors and associated factors from the perspective of newly diagnosed HIV positive men who have sex with men (NHIVMSM). We conducted repeated in-depth interviews with 31 NHIVMSM from January to September 2010 in a southern city in China. Thematic content analysis was performed. These NHIVMSM reported non-uptake of free health services or reluctance in seeking other health care. The results identified multiple barriers towards utilization of health services, in keeping with the constructs of the socio-ecological model utilized. These identified barriers served to explain health-related behaviors reported, including low health literacy, mental and emotional health problems, cognitive dissonance, perceived poor quality of services, economic hardship, refusal of access to services, lack of professional support, and restrictive policies. The results provide culturally derived contextual insights to inform the development of socially effective health prevention and intervention services for HIV positive MSM in contemporary China. These include improving mental health services, capacity building of local CDC and NGOs, reforming a non-discriminating health-care referral system, and advocating for alternative health services and self care strategies.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify important factors that associated with health services seeking among HIV positive MSM in contemporary China, even though HIV specific free services have been provided by the government. Discuss socially effective health prevention and intervention services for our target population.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been obtained my PhD in public health in 2012 and the current presentation is part of my PhD dissertation. I have published articles in peer-reviewed journals, which target the population of men who have sex with men. And I also have presentation experiences in international conferences, such as Asia-Pacific AIDS Conference.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
