Objective To examine general characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi) and influencing factors of mortality among the MSM for providing evidences to develop AIDS prevention and control strategies.

Methods We collected information on all male HIV/AIDS cases infected via homosexual pathway and reported in Guangxi from 2005 till 31 December 2017 from National Information Management System for Comprehensive AIDS Prevention and Control in China. Descriptive epidemiology and logistic regression analysis were adopted to analyze general characteristics and mortality-related factors of the HIV-positive MSM.

Results Of the 3 058 MSM included in the study, 76.3% were less than 40 years old; 67.1% were with the education of senior high school or technical secondary school and above; 52.7% reported having three or more homosexual sex partners; and 42% reported having three or more unmarried sex partners. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that education level, the number of homosexual sex partners, receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and undergoing HIV testing previously were independent factors of mortality among the HIV-positive MSM.

Conclusion High-risk behaviors are prevalent among the HIV-positive MSM in Guangxi, suggesting that health education on AIDS/HIV prevention and HIV testing should be promote among the population to control HIV infection and to reduce the fatality of AIDS.