| Institution: | (1) Department of Epidemiology, West China School of Public Health Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China;(2) Epidemiology Department of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China;(3) Department of Epidemiology, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, 17, section 3, South Renmin road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China |
| Abstract: | Objective: To ascertain practical methods of estimating the population size of men who have sex with men (MSM) by field application. Methods: Nine public places were selected, where men who have sex with men (MSM) frequented. Capture--recapture method and multiplier method were used to count the number of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the assigned places in 10 days. Results: The population size estimated using multiplier method counted 877. Three estimates produced by capture--recapture method were 1408 (95% CI: 1116--1908), 1207 (95% CI: 932--1712) and 949 (95% CI: 757--1272), respectively. Conclusions: Multiplier method was easy and smooth in practice and produced highly reliable results, which yet was expensive. The application of capture--recapture method cost less in both time and funds, and the three results produced could verify each other, which was fit for the estimation. |
