title: Prevalence of syphilis infection and associations with sexual risk behaviours among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China.
abstract: The aims of this study were to understand the prevalence and correlates of syphilis infection among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. A total of 200 HIV-positive MSM participants were recruited using "snowball" sampling. Participants were tested for syphilis and completed a one-time questionnaire which included demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours with male and female sexual partners, substance use, and use of antiretroviral medications. Prevalence of syphilis infection was 16.5%. Among HIV/syphilis co-infected participants, 63.6% reported having anal sex with male partners and 24.2% did not use condoms consistently during the past six months; 66.7% reported having oral sex with male partners and 51.5% reported unprotected oral sex during the past six months. Factors associated with testing seropositive for syphilis infection included receptive anal sex with a male partner in the past six months (AOR = 12.61, 90% CI = 2.38-66.89), illicit drug use in the past six months (AOR = 11.47, 90% CI = 2.47-53.45), and use of antiretroviral medication (AOR = 4.48, 90% CI = 1.43-14.05). These data indicate a need for "positive prevention" interventions targeting HIV-positive MSM in China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Nickolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaller
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yuhuang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.forename: Zhengxin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Operario
authors.forename: Hongbo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: AIDS; China; HIV; MSM; Treponema pallidum; men who have sex with men; risk behaviour; sexually transmitted infections; syphilis