Interventions in the commercial sex industry during the rise in syphilis rates among men who have sex with men (MSM).
OBJECTIVE
Describe sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus prevention interventions targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) in commercial sex venues (CSV).


METHODS
Compilation of descriptive and evaluation data from the CDC 8-city MSM Syphilis Response on interventions conducted in bathhouses/sex clubs, circuit parties, the Internet, male sex workers, and the adult film industry.


RESULTS
Interventions in the commercial sex industry (CSI) often involved multiple collaborative efforts between public health departments (PHD), community-based organizations (CBO), and CSV owners and managers. Education and condoms were provided at multiple venues, including circuit parties, bathhouses, and sex clubs. CBO staff reported one-on-one street and CSV outreach to engage MSM at risk. Evaluation data demonstrate that MSM exposed to media campaigns were more aware of syphilis and more likely to have been tested for syphilis than MSM who did not see the campaigns.


CONCLUSIONS
PHD and CBO are using multiple means of reaching MSM in the CSI. Evaluations are needed to determine which of these efforts decreases syphilis transmission.
Taylor
Melanie
M
Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. metaylor@dhs.co.la.ca.us
Montoya
Jorge A
JA
Cantrell
Russell
R
Mitchell
Samuel J
SJ
Williams
Mark
M
Jordahl
Lori
L
Freeman
Millicent
M
Brown
James
J
Broussard
Dawn
D
Roland
Eric
E
D002947:Cities; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D011477:Sex Work; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States