Geographic and behavioral differences associated with sexually transmitted infection prevalence among Indian men who have sex with men in Chennai and Mumbai

India has one of the largest numbers of men who have sex with men (MSM) globally; however, geographic data on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and associations with sexual behavior are limited. Six-hundred and eight MSM in Chennai and Mumbai underwent screening for a behavioral trial and were assessed for bacterial STIs (syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea), HIV, and past-month self-reported condomless anal sex (CAS). Mumbai (37.8%) had a greater prevalence of any STI than Chennai (27.6%) (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.73). This pattern also emerged for gonorrhea and chlamydia separately but not syphilis. Conversely, Mumbai MSM reported lower rates of CAS (mean = 2.2) compared to Chennai MSM (mean = 14.0) (mean difference = −11.8, 95% CI: −14.6, −9.1). The interaction of city by CAS on any STI prevalence (PR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.45, 3.01, p < .0001) revealed that in Chennai, higher rates of CAS were not associated with STI prevalence, but in Mumbai they were (PR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.65, 3.76, p < .0001). The higher prevalence of bacterial STIs but lower frequency of CAS in Mumbai (versus Chennai), along with the significant interaction of CAS with city on STI rates, suggests that there are either differences in disease burden or differences by city with respect to self-reported assessment of CAS. Regardless, the high prevalence rates of untreated STIs and condomless sex among MSM suggest the need for additional prevention intervention efforts for MSM in urban India.

Download Full-text

Sexual Stigma Patterns Among Nigerian Men Who Have Sex with Men and Their Link to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-017-1982-4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 1662-1670 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Cristina Rodriguez-Hart ◽

◽

Rashelle Musci ◽

Rebecca G. Nowak ◽

Danielle German ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sexual Stigma ◽

Nigerian Men ◽

Sex With Men

Download Full-text

Gaps in Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Men who Have Sex with Men in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care in the United States

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1033 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christina Chandra ◽

Kevin M Weiss ◽

Colleen F Kelley ◽

Julia L Marcus ◽

Samuel M Jenness

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

The United States ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Exposure Site ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends comprehensive sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening every 3–6 months for men who have sex with men (MSM) using human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The gaps between these recommendations and clinical practice by region have not been quantified. Methods We used survey data collected from the internet-based ARTnet study between 2017 and 2019 on STI screening among MSM across the United States, stratified by current, prior, and never PrEP use. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to model factors, including residence in the Southeast, associated with consistent (“always” or “sometimes”) exposure site-specific STI screening during PrEP care. Results Of 3259 HIV-negative MSM, 19% were currently using PrEP, 6% had used PrEP in the past, and 75% had never used PrEP. Among ever PrEP users, 87%, 78%, 57%, and 64% reported consistent screening for STIs by blood sample, urine sample or urethral swab, rectal swab, or pharyngeal swab, respectively, during PrEP care. Compared to PrEP users in all other regions, PrEP users in the Southeast were significantly less likely to be consistently screened for urogenital (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], .76–.98) and rectal STIs (aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, .62–.93) during PrEP care. Conclusions Substantial gaps exist between CDC recommendations for STI screening during PrEP care and current clinical practice, particularly for rectal and pharyngeal exposure sites that can harbor asymptomatic infections and for MSM in Southeast states where the STI burden is substantial.

Download Full-text

HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence and Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex With Men in 3 Districts of Botswana

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1097/olq.0000000000000160 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (8) ◽

pp. 480-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Taurayi Adriano Tafuma ◽

Mike B. Merrigan ◽

Lillian A. Okui ◽

Refiletswe Lebelonyane ◽

Jerry Bolebantswe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sex With Men

Download Full-text

Gaps in Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening among Men who Have Sex with Men in PrEP Care in the United States

10.1101/2020.03.06.20032318 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christina Chandra ◽

Kevin M. Weiss ◽

Colleen F. Kelley ◽

Julia L. Marcus ◽

Samuel M. Jenness

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Error Variance ◽

The United States ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Exposure Site ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The U.S

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends comprehensive sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening every 3–6 months for men who have sex with men (MSM) using HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The gaps between these recommendations and clinical practice by region have not been quantified.MethodsWe used survey data collected from the internet-based ARTnet study between 2017 and 2019 on STI screening among MSM across the U.S., stratified by current, prior, and never PrEP use. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to model factors, including residence in the Southeast, associated with consistent (“always” or “sometimes”) exposure site-specific STI screening during PrEP care.ResultsOf 3259 HIV-negative MSM, 19% were currently using PrEP, 6% had used PrEP in the past, and 75% had never used PrEP. Among ever PrEP users, 87%, 78%, 57%, and 64% reported consistent screening for STIs by blood sample, urine sample or urethral swab, rectal swab, or pharyngeal swab, respectively, during PrEP care. Compared to PrEP users in all other regions, PrEP users in the Southeast were significantly less likely to be consistently screened for urogenital (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.98) and rectal STIs (aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62–0.93) during PrEP care.ConclusionsSubstantial gaps exist between CDC recommendations for STI screening during PrEP care and current clinical practice, particularly for rectal and pharyngeal exposure sites that can harbor asymptomatic infections and for MSM in Southeast states where the STI burden is substantial.SUMMARYNearly half of U.S. men who have sex with men in PrEP care are not receiving consistent bacterial STI screening at sites of sexual exposure, and levels are worse in the Southeast region where the burden of STI is highest.

Download Full-text

Sexually transmitted infection testing practices among ‘money boys’ and general men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China: objective versus self-reported status

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh13199 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 94 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lavinia Lin ◽

Eric J. Nehl ◽

Alvin Tran ◽

Na He ◽

Tony Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Monthly Income ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sti Testing ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Testing Practices ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Money Boys

Little is known about sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). This study describes the prevalence of STI testing, associated factors and the validity of STI self-reporting among Chinese MSM. Findings indicated a high prevalence of STIs and low testing rates among MSM in Shanghai. Monthly income was significantly associated with STI testing (odds ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18 to 0.76). Depression was significantly associated with STI testing for general MSM (odds ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.17). Syphilis self-reported status had the highest validity (k = 0.33, χ2 = 3.76, 95% CI: –0.003 to 0.65). Efforts are needed to ensure that STI testing services are accessible to MSM in China. Future HIV and STI interventions should be tailored to the needs of different subsets of MSM.

Download Full-text