title: Testing rates for sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected men who have sex with men attending two different HIV services.
abstract: This study compares the testing rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) attending two HIV clinics in Melbourne. Data on STI testing over a 12-month period were obtained for all HIV-positive MSM who attended the clinics between January and March 2006. Screening rates for bacterial STIs were significantly higher at a sexual health clinic (n = 254) compared with an infectious diseases clinic (n = 351), whether this was measured according to: at least one STI test being performed for chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis (69% vs. 38%, P < 0.01); serological testing for syphilis alone (67% vs. 34%, P < 0.01); or 'complete' STI screening for pharyngeal gonorrhoea, urethral chlamydia, anal gonorrhoea, anal chlamydia and syphilis (41% vs. 6%, P < 0.01). Substantial differences in STI testing rates among HIV-positive MSM may exist between HIV clinical services depending on the measures in place that promote STI screening.
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teague
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mijch
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fairley
authors.forename: Mohsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sidat
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Marcus Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001315:Australia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*