title: HIV and STI s among men who have sex with men in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV, STI and related risks among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling was employed to recruit study participants aged 18 years and above. Data on sociodemographics, HIV/STI knowledge and sexual practices were collected. Blood samples were tested for HIV and selected STIs.
  
  
  
  A total of 409 participants aged from 18 to 60 years took part in this study. The median age at first anal intercourse was 15 years. At last anal intercourse, 37.5% practiced receptive, 47.5% insertive and 15.0% both insertive and receptive anal intercourse. The seroprevalence of HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus were 17.4%, 38.5%, 0.2%, 5.4% and 3.4%, respectively. A third of MSM perceived their risk for HIV to be low and this was associated with unprotected sex (adjusted OR (AOR), 4.8, 95% CI 1.8 to 10.2). HIV seropositivity was also associated with HSV-2 (AOR, 5.0, 95% CI 3.01 to 11.21); having lived outside Dodoma (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.7); age above 25 years; (AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7); sexual relationship with a woman (AOR 5.6, 95% CI 3.9 to 12.8); assuming a receptive (AOR 7.1, 95% CI 4.8 to 17.4) or receptive and insertive (AOR 4.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 11.4) position during last anal intercourse; engaging in group sex (AOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.1) and the use of alcohol (AOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 9.2).
  
  
  
  HIV prevalence among MSM is five times higher compared with men in the general population in Dodoma. Perceived risk for HIV infection was generally low and low risk perception was associated with unprotected sex. STI, bisexuality and other behavioural risk factors played an important part in HIV transmission. The findings underscore the need for intensified HIV prevention programming addressing and involving key populations in Tanzania.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.|Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Elia John
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mmbaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kåre
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Neema
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Makyao
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mpembeni
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Melkizedeck T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Leshabari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AFRICA; HIV; HOMOSEXUALITY; SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR