Objectives: During the pandemic, the capacity of medical resources focused on testing, diagnosing and treating COVID-19 has severely limited public access to health care. In particular, HIV screening, for which homosexual males in Korea received free and anonymous testing at public health centers, was completely halted. This study investigated behavioral predictors related to the HIV screening needs of Korean male homosexuals during the pandemic.

Methods: Data were collected by conducting a web survey targeting members of the largest homosexual portal site in Korea with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (n=1,005). The key independent variables are COVID-19-related characteristics and sexual risk behavior. The moderating variable is health information search behavior, and the dependent variable is the need for HIV screening. For a statistical analysis, a hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted while controlling for potential confounding variables.

Results: 1) HIV-positive MSMs had a higher infection risk of COVID-19 even after considering their vaccination status. 2) Korean non-heterosexual men are more likely to engage in anal sex without a condom while living with HIV/STD. 3) During the COVID-19 period, MSM who preferred anal sex had a higher need for HIV screening than MSM who did not prefer it. 4) COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 infection in MSM did not affect their need for HIV screening. 5) MSM with a primary sex partner had a higher need for HIV screening than MSM without a primary sex partner. 6) Health information-seeking behavior can play a mediating role in increasing the need for HIV screening by MSM.

Conclusion: This study revealed that male Korean homosexuals who were young, preferred anal sex with a primary partner, and who had a history of a sexually transmitted disease had a high need for HIV screening at public health centers. They are more likely to be susceptible to HIV infection because they are usually consistent with gay men, characterized by risky behavior. Therefore, an intervention strategy that provides health information using a communication campaign is needed.