Abstract
Objective: To understand the cognition, willingness to test and influencing factors of hepatitis C (HCV) based on social software for men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: An online questionnaire was used to investigate the target population of Blued platform users, including general demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, drug abuse behavior, cognition of hepatitis C prevention and treatment, past hepatitis C testing status and future testing willingness. There were 14 questions in the cognition part, and answering 10 or more questions were defined as "knowing" . Cognition rate, willingness to test and related influencing factors of hepatitis C were analyzed in different characteristics population. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 1800 valid questionnaires were completed, of which 58.9% (1 061/1 800) had heard of hepatitis C, and the overall cognition rate of hepatitis C was 33.5% (603/1 800). The cognition rate of hepatitis C among those aged 30 years old, monthly income among RMB 5 000~10 000, high school education or above, and previous HIV testing [42.5% (371/873), 36.7% (191/520), 35.1% (584/1 663) and 37.4% (544/1453)] was considerably higher than those of the corresponding low-age, low-income, low-educated, not having HIV testing and not insisting on condom use, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The proportion of respondents who were willing to undergo hepatitis C testing in the next 3 months was 82.5% (851/1 031). The proportion of respondents who were tested for HIV in the past, had anal sex in the past 6 months and had high-risk behaviors [85.2% (766/899), 86.1% (609/707) and 86.6% (610/704)] was considerably higher than those who had not been tested for HIV, had no anal sex and had no high-risk behaviors in the past 6 months, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The survey respondents have a low cognition rate of hepatitis C, but have a higher willingness to test. Targeted publicity and education should be strengthened for this population, and convenient conditions should be provided to promote regular testing.