HIV/AIDS among racial/ethnic minority men who have sex with men--United States, 1989-1998

In the United States, racial/ethnic minority populations account for an increasing proportion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases, including cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) (1). This report presents recent trends in AIDS incidence and deaths among MSM who belong to racial/ethnic minority populations, and compares data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses with AIDS diagnoses during 1996-1998 among racial/ethnic minority MSM in the 25 states that have conducted confidential HIV surveillance and AIDS case surveillance since 1994. The findings indicate that among MSM, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men accounted for an increasing proportion of AIDS cases and had smaller proportionate declines in AIDS incidence and deaths from 1996 to 1998. Of HIV and AIDS diagnoses among racial/ethnic minority MSM, the proportion who are young (aged 13-24 years) is higher than among white MSM.     

HIV / AIDS among men who have sex with men in Pakistan

1200 South Asian men from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who lived in either South Asia or the UK participated in focus group discussions conducted by the Naz Foundation to gain insight into the sociocultural dimensions of sex between men in the region. Although participants noted the lack of accessibility to women as the main reason for such behavior, the overwhelming majority of these men who have sex with men were married. Those aged 14-16 years had an average of 2 sex partners per year, while those aged 17-20 had 5, those aged 21-35 had 42, and those aged 36-45 had 35. There are many anecdotal reports of young men in South Asia who have sex with men and/or women in exchange for money or other tangible goods. By early 1997, 1232 cases of HIV infection had been reported in Pakistan, of which 88.4% were in men. These data come from the National AIDS Program, and consist largely of cases reported from 4 provinces. While the mode of HIV transmission was not recorded in 41% of cases, male-male sex was the acknowledged mode of transmission among 3.2% of HIV-positive men. Male-male sex appears to exist among married men who have extramarital sex contacts, prisoners, seafarers, IV drug users, truck drivers, and male prostitutes. In Pakistan, men who have sex with men comprise a highly vulnerable group which needs to be targeted for HIV/AIDS awareness-raising interventions.     

重庆市男男性行为者艾滋病高危行为调查

目的了解重庆市男男性行为者(MSM)艾滋病高危行为,为制定针对性干预措施提供依据。方法采用滚雪球法招募MSM 945人,进行面对面问卷调查,应用SPSS 13.0软件进行统计分析。结果调查对象平均年龄为(26.9±7.4)岁;艾滋病知识知晓率为89.0%;最近6个月有多个同性性伴的(≥2个)占56.0%;最近1次与男性发生肛交时安全套使用率为64.4%,最近6个月与男性发生肛交时每次都使用安全套的为35.2%;多因素回归分析显示,保护性肛交性行为影响因素有年龄(≥31岁年龄段OR=0.67)、文化程度(OR=1.82)、最近1年进行过HIV咨询检测(OR=1.75)、最近1年接受过干预服务(OR=1.85)。结论MSM人群艾滋病高危行为普遍存在,干预和咨询检测对MSM安全套使用有促进作用。     

Oral sex and HIV among men who have sex with men

Sexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to pose a public health problem worldwide. Men who have sex with men are still at differential risk of infection. Although there is evidence to claim that HIV can be transmitted by oral sex, the perception of this risk is ambiguous and relates paradoxically to behavior change. New models of risk perception must be developed in various areas of knowledge to obtain a fuller understanding of this phenomenon.     

乌鲁木齐市男男性行为者艾滋病新发感染分析

摘要:目的 了解新疆乌鲁木齐市男男性行为(MSM)人群HIV新发感染率,确定今后艾滋病防治工作重点。方法 将乌鲁木齐市艾滋病哨点监测MSM人群4 403例样本纳入研究,用ELISA方法对所有研究对象样本进行HIV初筛,初筛阳性者用免疫印迹方法进行确认,符合条件的HIV阳性血清还接受HIV-1 BED捕获酶联法(BED方法)检测,估算该人群连续2012-2015年的新发感染率;对不同人口学特征的新发感染率进行分层分析;掌握安全套的使用情况。结果 2012-2015年乌鲁木齐市HIV新发感染率分别为2.20%、2.54%、4.36%、5.43%,平均3.72%(95%CI:3.11%~4.32%);多因素分析显示已婚的、艾滋病知识知晓率低的HIV新发感染率高。安全套的使用率普遍较低。结论 乌鲁木齐市MSM人群艾滋病流行处于上升阶段,安全套使用率低,应采取有效的干预措施加以控制。     

Trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among men who have sex with men--33 states, 2001-2006

In 2008, CDC conducted an analysis of trends in diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the 33 states that have had confidential, name-based HIV case reporting since at least 2001. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that the number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among MSM overall during 2001-2006 increased 8.6% (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] = 1.5). During 2001-2006, an estimated 214,379 persons had HIV/AIDS diagnosed in the 33 states. Of these diagnoses, 46% were in MSM, and 4% were in MSM who engaged in illicit injection-drug use (IDU) (i.e., MSM and IDU). To reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in the United States, HIV prevention services that aim to reduce the risk for acquiring and transmitting infection among MSM and link infected MSM to treatment must be expanded.     

HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among men who have sex with men and inject drugs in San Francisco

The dual risks of male-to-male sex and drug injection have put men who have sex with men and inject drugs (MSM-IDU) at the forefront of the HIV epidemic, with the highest rates of infection among any risk group in the United States. This study analyzes data collected from 357 MSM-IDU in San Francisco between 1998 and 2002 to examine how risk behaviors differ by HIV serostatus and self-identified sexual orientation and to assess medical and social service utilization among HIV-positive MSM-IDU. Twenty-eight percent of the sample tested HIV antibody positive. There was little difference in risk behaviors between HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM-IDU. Thirty percent of HIV-positive MSM-IDU reported distributive syringe sharing, compared to 40% of HIV negatives. Among MSM-IDU who reported anal intercourse in past 6 months, 70% of positives and 66% of HIV negatives reported unprotected anal intercourse. HIV status varied greatly by self-identified sexual orientation: 46% among gay, 24% among bisexual, and 14% among heterosexual MSM-IDU. Heterosexual MSM-IDU were more likely than other MSM-IDU to be homeless and to trade sex for money or drugs. Gay MSM-IDU were more likely to have anal intercourse. Bisexual MSM-IDU were as likely as heterosexual MSM-IDU to have sex with women and as likely as gay-identified MSM-IDU to have anal intercourse. Among MSM-IDU who were HIV positive, 15% were currently on antiretroviral therapy and 18% were currently in drug treatment, and 87% reported using a syringe exchange program in the past 6 months. These findings have implications for the development of HIV interventions that target the diverse MSM-IDU population.     

男性同性恋、男性同性性行为与艾滋病

20世纪80年代初,艾滋病(AIDS)首先在美国的男性同性恋人群中开始流行,从此AIDS的防治与男性同性恋人群紧密地联系在一起。那么AIDS到底和男性同性恋的联系怎样呢?是否男同性恋者一定会感染艾滋病病毒(HIV)呢?1对男同性恋的认识1.1男同性恋的存在由来已久同性恋是一个客观存在的事实,“同性恋(homo-sexuality)”这一名词是德国医生Benkert于1869年创造的。这个词描述的是对异性不能做出性反应,却被与自己性别相同的人所吸引。今天,同性恋、异性恋和双性恋都已被认为是不同类型的“性取向”,尽管对其定义的表述各有不同,但多数认为是“…     

男男性行为者艾滋病病毒及梅毒感染状况调查

目的 了解江苏省常州市男男性行为者(MSM)的人口学和行为学特征、艾滋病病毒(HIV)和梅毒感染情况及其影响因素.方法 通过问卷调查收集人口学、相关健康服务及行为学等信息,并采集血液和尿样标本分别进行HIV和梅毒抗体、及淋球菌和生殖道沙眼衣原体检测.结果 共有效调查593名MSM,HIV和梅毒感染率分别为13.7%(81/593)和31.2%(185/593),同时感染HIV和梅毒者占7.1%(42/593);5.7%(34/592)曾经发生过性虐待;在近6个月,63.9%(379/592)与男性发生过肛交行为,76.0%(288/379)在最近1次肛交中使用安全套,47.2%(280/592)与女性发生过性行为,53.2%(149/280)在最近1次与女性发生性行为时使用安全套;非条件多元logistic回归分析结果显示,感染HIV的危险因素为年龄偏大、学生、有过性虐待、梅毒抗体阳性;梅毒感染的危险因素为HIV抗体阳性、有过性虐待出血.结论 常州市MSM人群普遍存在高危性行为,其HIV和梅毒感染率已达较高水平;应采取HIV和性传播感染(STI)筛查及性病规范诊疗等综合防治措施.     

不同城市男男性行为者艾滋病流行特征比较

目的比较江苏省苏州、扬州2市男男性行为者(MSM)艾滋病病毒和性传播疾病(HIV/STD)感染状况及行为特征,为实施干预提供依据。方法于2009年4—7月采用横断面调查方法,在苏州市和扬州市分别调查MSM 305和300人,采集血样检测HIV、梅毒螺旋体抗体等,并对结果进行对比分析。结果苏州市MSM艾滋病知识知晓率为91.5%(279/305),扬州市为89.0%(267/300),差异无统计学意义;苏州市MSM首次插入性行为发生年龄为(21.35±3.98)岁,扬州市为(21.97±7.22)岁,差异无统计学意义;苏州市MSM首次同性性行为年龄为(22.78±6.03)岁,小于扬州市的(27.27±10.08)岁(t=6.66,P0.001);MSM发生异性性行为时安全套坚持使用率苏州市为22.6%(19/84),扬州市为19.7%(35/178),最近1次异性性行为安全套使用率苏州市为39.3%(33/84),扬州市为28.7%(51/178),差异均无统计学意义;苏州市MSM同性多性伴和无保护肛交等高危行为暴露比例均高于扬州市(P0.05);苏州和扬州市MSM的HIV感染率分别为9.2%(28/305)和10.0%(30/300),差异无统计学意义,梅毒感染率分别为19.7%(60/305)和31.3%(94/300),苏州市低于扬州市(χ2=10.84,P=0.001)。结论苏州市MSM艾滋病相关高危行为暴露率较高,而扬州市MSM梅毒等性传播疾病流行则更为较重,应根据其特征制订相关干预措施。     

山东省部分男男性接触者艾滋病防治相关知识、态度和行为调查

目的了解山东省男男性接触者艾滋病防治相关知识、态度和行为状况,为制定艾滋病防治政策提供科学依据。方法采用滚雪球法或方便样本法,在全省8个城市使用统一设计的调查问卷对男男性接触者进行面对面调查,并采集静脉血标本。结果共调查1617名男男性接触者,平均年龄为26岁,已婚占71.9%,大学以上文化程度占58.6%,青年学生占25.3%。艾滋病防治相关知识全部回答正确率较低,为28.2%;发生高危性行为的比例较高,安全套使用率低于50%;检出HIV抗体阳性18例,感染率1.3%。结论山东省男男性接触者人群中存在着艾滋病流行,并有向一般人群蔓延的潜在危险。因此,应进一步加强该类人群艾滋病防治相关知识的宣传教育和安全套推广使用工作,以提高他们的艾滋病防治知识知晓率和自我防护意识。     

The continuing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: This study characterized the AIDS epidemic among urban men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: A probability sample of MSM was obtained in 1997 (n = 2881; 18 years and older) from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, and HIV status was determined through self-report and biological measures. RESULTS: HIV prevalence was 17% (95% confidence interval = 15%, 19%) overall, with extremely high levels in African Americans (29%), MSM who used injection drugs (40%), "ultraheavy" noninjection drug users (32%), and less educated men (< high school, 37%). City-level HIV differences were non-significant once these other factors were controlled for. In comparing the present findings with historical data based on public records and modeling, HIV prevalence appears to have declined as a result of high mortality (69%) and stable, but high, incidence rates (1%-2%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings suggest that HIV prevalence has declined significantly from the mid-1980s, current levels among urban MSM in the United States approximate those of sub-Saharan countries (e.g., 14%-25%) and are extremely high in many population subsegments. Despite years of progress, the AIDS epidemic continues unabated among subsegments of the MSM community.     

HIV testing among men who have sex with men--21 cities, United States, 2008

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise an estimated 2% of the overall U.S. population aged≥13 years (1), 59% of persons with diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States in 2009 were MSM, including MSM who inject drugs (2). CDC recommends HIV testing at least annually for sexually active MSM to identify HIV infections and prevent ongoing transmission (3). Results of HIV testing conducted as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) in 21 cities indicated that 19% of MSM who were tested in 2008 were HIV-positive; of these, 44% were unaware that they were infected (4). To assess whether MSM were tested as recommended and whether more frequent testing might be indicated, CDC analyzed NHBS data for 2008. This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, of 7,271 MSM interviewed and tested who did not report a previous positive HIV test, 61% had been tested for HIV infection during the past 12 months; among these, 7% had a new, positive HIV test result when tested as part of NHBS. Given the high prevalence of new HIV infection among MSM who had been tested during the past year, sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).     

男男性行为人群预防控制艾滋病同伴综合干预模式研究

目的 探讨男男性行为人群(men who have sex with men,MSM)预防控制艾滋病同伴综合干预对提高MSM安全套使用和促进艾滋病病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)检测的可行性与有效性.方法 采用流行病学现场干预试验方法,在四川省选择相距较远、具有相似社会文化背景的绵阳市和官宾市作为研究现场,两市在此之前均未开展过MSM人群艾滋病预防干预工作,两市都能招募到MSM志愿者.宜宾市为对照城市,开展常规艾滋病预防干预工作;绵阳市为干预城市,实施MSM同伴综合干预活动,包括通过招募和培训MSM志愿者40名作为同伴宣传员,使其掌握艾滋病预防干预的相关知识和技能,通过MSM活动场所、同伴网络在MSM人群中进行艾滋病预防宣传、安全性行为倡导、HIV检测促进和性病诊疗服务转介,干预6个月后进行干预效果评估.结果 绵阳中MSM性病艾滋病知识得分干预后比干预前的(12.42±0.232)分,平均分提高1.293分(95%CI=0.657～1.292,P<0.05),而宜宾市评估调杳为(10.40±0.412)分,平均分提高0.577分(95%CI=-0.173～1.327,P>0.05);安全套使用效能评分,绵阳市干预后比干预前的(10.25±0.327)分,平均分提高1.556分(95%CI=0.656～2.456,P<0.05),宜宾市评估调查比基线的(9.86±0.547)分,平均分降低0.362分(95%CI=-1.458～0.534,P>0.05).最近6个月中最近3次与男性偶然性伴无保护性行为报告率,绵阳市由干预前19.5%(39/200)降低为干预后的11.0%(22/200)(OR_(调整)=0.472,95%CI=0.265～0.841,P<0.05),而宜宾市由基线调查时17.5%(35/200)上升到评估调查的19.0%(38/200)(OR_(调整)=1.153,95%CI=0.660～2.014,P>0.05);最近6个月中最近1次与男性发生无保护商业性行为报告率,绵阳市由下预前6.5%(13/200)降低到干预后1.5%(13/200)(OR_(调整)=0.190,95%CI=0.053～0.689,P<0.05),而宜宾市由基线调查11.0%(22/200)降低到评估调查的7.5%(15/200)(OR_(调整)=0.821,95%CI=0.371～1.817,P>0.05).最近6个月HIV检测率,绵阳市由干预前9.0%(18/200)提高至干预后22.0%(44/200)(OR=2.852,95%CI=1.583～5.138,P<0.05),而宜宾市基线调查为24.5%(29/200),评估调查为24.0%(28/200)(OR=0.960,95%CI=0.548～1.682,P>0.05);干预对最近6个月性伴数未见明确的影响.结论 同伴综合干预模式是能够被MSM人群接受的干预方法,可提高艾滋病相关知识和安全套使用自我效能,并可促进安全套使用和HIV检测.     

河南省2008－2013年男男性行为人群艾滋病流行趋势分析

目的 分析河南省MSM人群HIV感染流行趋势,为河南省艾滋病防治政策与策略制定提供科学依据。方法 分析2008-2013年艾滋病病例报告系统中同性性传播HIV/AIDS病例的变化趋势,利用MSM人群艾滋病综合防治专项调查数据分析该人群HIV感染率及危险行为变化。结果 2008-2013年河南省同性性传播病例构成从1.3%上升到17.1%,呈现快速增长趋势;专项调查数据显示,MSM人群HIV感染率呈现快速上升趋势,从2008年的4.69%增至2013年的8.33%(趋势χ²=39.24,P<0.001).单因素分析结果显示,年龄(χ²=21.03,P<0.001)、文化程度(χ²=31.66,P<0.001)、职业(χ²=14.59,P=0.01)、最近1次肛交行为安全套使用情况(χ²=134.97,P<0.001)、最近6个月同性性行为安全套使用情况(χ²=97.15,P<0.001)、最近1年性病症状(χ²=67.21,P<0.001)以及梅毒感染(χ²=163.60,P<0.001)均为感染HIV的影响因素。多因素分析结果显示,年龄、性病症状史、感染梅毒与艾滋病防治知识不知晓为感染HIV的危险因素。结论 河南省MSM人群中HIV感染呈不断上升趋势,男男同性性传播已经成为主要感染途径,该人群不安全性行为普遍存在,亟需采取有效措施控制HIV在该人群中的传播。     

湖北省2010－2013年男男性行为者HIV新发感染分析

目的 了解湖北省MSM人群HIV新发感染率及其动态变化情况。方法 将2010-2013年湖北省MSM哨点监测11 438例样本纳入研究,对HIV-1抗体确证阳性样本采用BED捕获酶联免疫方法(BED-CEIA)进行HIV新发感染检测,估算该人群连续4年的新发感染率;汇总2010-2013年的调查数据,对不同年龄组、不同样本来源和不同地区的新发感染率以及安全套使用率进行分层分析。结果 2010-2013年湖北省MSM HIV阳性率分别为3.34%、3.74%、2.96%和3.15%,HIV新发感染率分别为2.31%、1.91%、1.53%和1.71%.汇总2010-2013年的调查数据,≤30岁年龄组MSM的HIV阳性率低于>30岁年龄组、HIV新发感染率高于>30岁年龄组;不同样本来源的HIV新发感染率有差异,HIV新发感染率最高的人群分别来自工作组/疾病预防控制中心和浴室,分别为3.54%和3.49%;武汉、襄阳、荆州和黄石地区HIV新发感染率分别为5.73%、3.37%、1.51%和1.50%;MSM最近6个月坚持使用安全套的比例为38.91%.多因素分析显示,样本来源(OR=0.344～0.713)、地区(OR=3.581～9.577)、安全套的使用(OR=6.686)是HIV新发感染的影响因素。结论 湖北省MSM艾滋病流行水平总体稳定在较高水平,且安全套使用率较低,局部地区新发感染率处于较高水平,应采取有效措施加以控制。     

2008-2012年宁波市MSM人群艾滋病知识知晓情况、性行为特征和HIV/梅毒感染状况调查

目的 了解宁波市男男性接触人群(men who have sex with men,MSM)艾滋病知识知晓情况、性行为特征和艾滋病病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)及梅毒感染率的变化趋势,为在该人群中开展更加有效的防制措施提供建议.方法 对2008-2012年宁波市MSM人群监测资料进行分析.结果 5年分别调查了384、136、404、435和414名MSM,艾滋病相关知识知晓率呈逐年上升趋势.同性性行为各年度最近一次安全套使用率波动于64.6％ ～75.1％,近半年安全套坚持使用率波动于35.4％ ～43.4％.异性性行为各年度最近一次安全套使用率均低于50％,近半年安全套坚持使用率均低于30％.2008-2012年HIV感染率分别为4.7％、2.9％、8.9％、9.0％和8.2％,呈现上升趋势,梅毒感染率分别为12.2％、6.6％、14.9％、13.1％和8.0％.结论 该地MSM人群中HIV感染率处于较高水平并有上升趋势.加强动态监测,改变宣教方式,提高干预质量对于有效控制MSM中艾滋病的蔓延非常重要.     

男男性接触人群艾滋病干预效果分析与探讨

目的了解浙江省"全国男男性行为人群艾滋病综合防治试点"项目艾滋病预防干预效果,为寻找和完善男男性行为人群(MSM)艾滋病预防干预方法提供依据。方法在接受项目调查的MSM中,通过问卷中设置的变量挑选出先后接受过第一、二轮和第二、三轮调查的MSM(项目调查分三轮),并通过ID编号实现自身对照,比较干预前后MSM艾滋病/性病感染、行为、知识等情况,综合分析预防干预效果。结果接受第一、二轮调查的157名MSM中,最近6个月:6.25%的人出现性病症状(P<0.05),分别有2.55%、5.04%的人HIV抗体、梅毒抗体发生阳转(梅毒抗体阳转P<0.05)。接受第二、三轮调查的83名MSM中,最近6个月:15.07%的人发生性病症状(P<0.05),分别有1.23%、5.41%的人发生HIV抗体、梅毒抗体阳转。结论试点项目MSM艾滋病干预效果有待提高,有效的干预方法尚待进一步探索和完善。     

中国2006--2010年男男性行为者艾滋病疫情分析

目的 分析2006-2010年中国男男性行为者(MSM)的艾滋病疫情特征.方法 分析2006-2010年中国艾滋病病例报告系统中男男性传播病例的三间分布(时间、人群、地区)及哨点监测系统中MSM的HIV抗体检出率及安全套使用率.结果 艾滋病病例报告系统显示,2006-2010年男男性传播病例构成比从1.5％增长到10.8％,是增长最快的传播途径.与其他传播途径相比,男男性传播HIV/AIDS病例具有以下明显的特征:15～29岁为主(54.6％)、文化程度较高(具有高中及以上学历者占69.8％)、未婚为主(64.8％)、干部/教师/医生离退休人员(14.3％)及学生(7.9％)等职业占相当高的比例、流动性强(流动人口占36.2％)、城市为主(城市人口占72.6％)、专题调查(26.7％)及无偿献血(6.4％)检出比例较高.地区分布差异大,主要分布在北京、四川、广东、重庆、江苏、辽宁、上海和浙江等经济发达地区的大中城市.哨点监测系统显示,2006-2010年中国MSM的HIV抗体阳性检出率(中位数)为3.4％,最近一次安全套使用率(中位数)为73.2％.结论2006-2010年中国男男性传播艾滋病报告病例构成比增长快速,哨点监测发现MSM感染率较高,安全套使用率较低,表明MSM艾滋病流行严重且呈明显上升趋势,其中以15～29岁青年学生及无偿献血人员感染为主.     

HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men: applying the item response theory

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men in Brazil using the latent trait model estimated by Item Response Theory.

METHODS

Multicenter, cross-sectional study, carried out in ten Brazilian cities between 2008 and 2009. Adult men who have sex with men were recruited (n = 3,746) through Respondent Driven Sampling. HIV/AIDS knowledge was ascertained through ten statements by face-to-face interview and latent scores were obtained through two-parameter logistic modeling (difficulty and discrimination) using Item Response Theory. Differential item functioning was used to examine each item characteristic curve by age and schooling.

RESULTS

Overall, the HIV/AIDS knowledge scores using Item Response Theory did not exceed 6.0 (scale 0-10), with mean and median values of 5.0 (SD = 0.9) and 5.3, respectively, with 40.7% of the sample with knowledge levels below the average. Some beliefs still exist in this population regarding the transmission of the virus by insect bites, by using public restrooms, and by sharing utensils during meals. With regard to the difficulty and discrimination parameters, eight items were located below the mean of the scale and were considered very easy, and four items presented very low discrimination parameter (< 0.34). The absence of difficult items contributed to the inaccuracy of the measurement of knowledge among those with median level and above.

CONCLUSIONS

Item Response Theory analysis, which focuses on the individual properties of each item, allows measures to be obtained that do not vary or depend on the questionnaire, which provides better ascertainment and accuracy of knowledge scores. Valid and reliable scales are essential for monitoring HIV/AIDS knowledge among the men who have sex with men population over time and in different geographic regions, and this psychometric model brings this advantage.