HIV/Aids Knowledge, Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) Messaging, and Condom Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19543031 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Zurong Liang (0000-0003-0428-8120, Zhejiang University, corresponding author), Boxuan Song (0009-0001-8557-7081, Zhejiang University), Qiang Li (0000-0003-2737-0768, First Hospital of Jiaxing) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 606-624 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-03 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Sexual Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1931-7611 • E-ISSN: 1931-762X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/19317611.2025.2608689 |
| PMID | 42205338 |
| OpenAlex | W7125400818 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 56 |
Objectives: This study aimed to examine how traditional HIV/AIDS knowledge interacts with awareness and trust in the undetectable = untransmittable (U = U) message, influencing condom use behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2023 to May 2024 among 1,085 MSM participants in Zhejiang Province. Structured questionnaires assessed HIV/AIDS knowledge, U = U awareness, trust in U = U messaging, condom use self-efficacy, and reported condom use behaviors. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression and ordinal logistic regression models, with interaction terms included to assess moderating effects. Results: Both traditional HIV/AIDS knowledge and U = U-related variables independently predicted higher condom use self-efficacy and more consistent condom use. Significant interactions revealed that the positive association between traditional HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use was weaker among MSM with higher awareness and trust in U = U. Trust in U = U emerged as a strong moderator, indicating that those who trusted U = U messaging were less likely to rely solely on traditional knowledge for condom use decisions. Additionally, higher condom use self-efficacy was significantly associated with increased frequency of condom use behaviors, highlighting the critical role of confidence in preventive practices. Conclusions: The findings suggest that biomedical prevention messages like U = U should be integrated carefully with traditional HIV education to ensure complementary, rather than contradictory, messaging. Public health initiatives must enhance biomedical literacy, promote accurate understanding of U = U messaging, and address trust issues toward biomedical strategies within culturally specific contexts. To strengthen the effectiveness of prevention strategies, targeted interventions that bolster both biomedical and traditional HIV/AIDS knowledge are necessary. Limitations of this study include its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported behaviors, and inability to infer causality. Comprehensive, culturally tailored HIV prevention strategies are recommended for MSM populations in China
China · Condom · Developed country · Men who have sex with men · Population · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Sex work and related issues
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |