OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the role of commercial sex venues in the spread of syphilis and HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM). STUDY: A cross sectional study of 1351 MSM who were diagnosed with early syphilis who did and did not encounter sexual partners at commercial sex venues. RESULTS: Overall, 26% MSM diagnosed with syphilis had sexual encounters at commercial sex venues. Of these, 74% were HIV positive, 94% reported anonymous sex, and 66% did not use a condom. Compared to those who did not have a sexual encounter at these venues, they were twice as likely to be HIV positive (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.68), six times more likely to have anonymous sex (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 3.37 to 11.32), twice as likely not to use condom (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.38), and twice as likely to use non-injecting drugs (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.37). CONCLUSIONS: MSM diagnosed with syphilis who frequent commercial sex venues are engaging in high risk behaviours for syphilis and HIV transmission and acquisition. Thus commercial sex venues are one of the focal points of syphilis and HIV transmission and acquisition.
OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the role of commercial sex venues in the spread of syphilis and HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM). STUDY: A cross sectional study of 1351 MSM who were diagnosed with early syphilis who did and did not encounter sexual partners at commercial sex venues. RESULTS: Overall, 26% MSM diagnosed with syphilis had sexual encounters at commercial sex venues. Of these, 74% were HIV positive, 94% reported anonymous sex, and 66% did not use a condom. Compared to those who did not have a sexual encounter at these venues, they were twice as likely to be HIV positive (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.68), six times more likely to have anonymous sex (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 3.37 to 11.32), twice as likely not to use condom (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.38), and twice as likely to use non-injecting drugs (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.37). CONCLUSIONS: MSM diagnosed with syphilis who frequent commercial sex venues are engaging in high risk behaviours for syphilis and HIV transmission and acquisition. Thus commercial sex venues are one of the focal points of syphilis and HIV transmission and acquisition.
Authors: Mitchell H Katz; Sandra K Schwarcz; Timothy A Kellogg; Jeffrey D Klausner; James W Dilley; Steven Gibson; William McFarland Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: T E Guadamuz; K McCarthy; W Wimonsate; W Thienkrua; A Varangrat; S Chaikummao; A Sangiamkittikul; R D Stall; F van Griensven Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2014-11
Authors: Marc M Solomon; Kenneth H Mayer; David V Glidden; Albert Y Liu; Vanessa M McMahan; Juan V Guanira; Suwat Chariyalertsak; Telmo Fernandez; Robert M Grant Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2014-06-13 Impact factor: 9.079