Multiple sexual partners and condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in southern China: investigating the role of receiving HIV serostatus disclosure from partners before sex

Background The impact of receiving HIV serostatus disclosure from partners before sex on number of sexual partners and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the association between receiving this disclosure and engaging in risky sexual behaviors and its impact on HIV incidence rates. Methods HIV-negative MSM were followed with questionnaires every 3 months for 12 months. Generalized estimation equations models were used to assessed the factors associated with receiving serostatus disclosure and its impact on multiple sexual partners and CAI. Results Of the 363 participants, those tested for HIV in the past 3 months were more likely to receive serostatus disclosure than those who had not (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.145, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.109–4.691, P < 0.001). Receiving disclosure from all partners in the past 3 months was linked to fewer sexual partners (aOR = 0.468, 95% CI: 0.347–0.632, P < 0.001). However, receiving this disclosure from all partners was not associated with engaging in CAI with any one partner (OR = 1.128, 95% CI: 0.876–1.453, P = 0.351). Subgroup analysis revealed that MSM with casual partners who received serostatus disclosure were more likely to engage in CAI (aOR = 1.646, 95% CI: 1.06–2.556, P = 0.027). Conclusions HIV testing promotes serostatus disclosure and disclosure of HIV serostatus correlated with fewer sexual partners. However, among MSM with casual partners, disclosure was associated with a higher likelihood of CAI. These findings encourage regular HIV testing and HIV serostatus disclosure.