Factors influencing rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy among men who have sex with men living with HIV

CHEN Xiaoyun; WANG Ran; ZHAI Yuanyi; LI Rui; REN Yiming; SHAO Ying; YE Jiangzhu; LIU An; SUN Lijun; DAI Lili

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8134.2026.01.001

Abstract：Objective To analyze the factors that influence the rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy(ART)in HIV-infected men who have sex with men(MSM).This study aims to provide guidance for clinical practice.Methods The study targeted newly diagnosed HIV-infected adult MSM at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS Clinic of Beijing Youan Hospital from March 2021 to September 2022.Sociological/demographic information was collected through questionnaires,and clinical data were retrieved from the medical record system.Participants were divided into 2 groups based on whether they initiated ART within 14 days of diagnosis:the Rapid Treatment Group(Rapid Group)and the Non-Rapid Treatment Group(Non-Rapid Group).The data were analyzed using t-tests or χ2 tests for univariate analysis,and a binary logistic regression model was applied to identify independent influencing factors for rapid ART initiation.Results A total of 353 HIV-infected individuals were included,with 256 cases(72.5%)in the Rapid Group and 97 cases(27.5%)in the Non-Rapid Group.Univariate analysis showed that"living alone,""actively seeking HIV testing,""believing that rapid initiation of ART is necessary,"and"having friends/peers who are HIV-infected"were factors with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups(χ2 values were 5.902,4.573,4.709,and 7.037,respectively;all P<0.05).Multivariate analysis indicated that"actively seeking HIV testing,""living with family,friends,or peers,"and"having HIV-infected individuals around"were the main factors promoting the rapid initiation of ART(OR values of 2.062,1.970,and 2.128,respectively;P<0.05).Conclusion MSM individuals who actively seek HIV testing,have HIV-infected peers around them,and live with family,friends,or peers are more likely to initiate ART rapidly after confirming HIV infection.Clinically,more attention should be given to MSM without these conditions.Enhanced care and support should be provided to improve their rate of rapid treatment initiation.