Analysis on depressive symptoms and related factors of men who have sex with men attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing clinics in Shanghai

Objective To examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Shanghai. Methods MSM attending two VCT clinics in Shanghai from March to August, 2015 were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Information of depressive symptoms and related factors was collected by face-to-face questionnaire interviews. Results A total of 738 MSM were successfully recruited and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 38.8% (286/738). Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that the risk factors for depressive symptoms in MSM were witness of physical domestic violence in childhood (OR=1.80,95% CI:1.23-2.63, P=0.002), uncertainty of sexual partners' HIV statuses (OR=1.70,95% CI:1.20-2.40, P=0.003) or having HIV-positive partners (OR=1.86,95% CI:1.07-3.24, P=0.028), whereas the protective factors were age ≥ 46 (OR=0.13,95% CI:0.04-0.43, P=0.001), sexual role as ‘1’ (OR=0.56,95% CI:0.39-0.82, P=0.003), and having male regular sexual partners (OR=0.58,95% CI:0.42-0.80, P=0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of depressive symptoms is high in MSM attending VCT clinics. Thus, system for depressive symptoms screening and referral needs to be established in VCT clinics.