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Henan Province gives free HIV tests to gay men
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-11 15:58 Central China's Henan Province has started to give
free checkups to homosexual men with an aim to curb the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), especially HIV/AIDS, among the group.
A class on gay and
lesbian studies at Fudan University in Shanghai has attracted an overflow
crowd. The class is the first ever of its kind in China. [The New York
Times] |
It is the first time for a
provincial-level government to sponsor such tests, which covers HIV/AIDS,
syphilis and hepatitis, the provincial disease control and prevention center has
said.
The tests are part of a research project jointly conducted by the Ministry of
Science and Technology and the Health Ministry,
Wang Zhe, vice director of the center, said the tests will be given in seven
to ten days, covering 200 male homosexuals. The results will be analyzed by
researchers to gain more knowledge about the prevalence of STDs among the group
of people.
Along with the health examinations, the organizers will also hand out
questionnaires to learn about their families, marital status, sex orientation
and behaviors.
Since Chinese homosexuals are mostly living in "closets" and not willing to
be exposed, the center will work with local volunteering groups for homosexuals
to recruit participants.
The respondents will be anonymous and their information be kept confidential,
said Wang.
"I would like to take such tests. To know more about my health is responsible
to myself and my partner as well," said an unidentified respondent.
The research project will be concurrently launched in eight other cities,
including Chengdu, Chongqing and Nanjing.
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