Syphilis and HIV/Syphilis Co-infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Ecuador

Overview

Journal Am J Mens Health

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2016 Dec 8

PMID 27923971

Citations 6

Authors

Isabel Hernandez

Ayesha Johnson

Miguel Reina-Ortiz

Carlos Rosas

Vinita Sharma

Santiago Teran

Eknath Naik

Hamisu M Salihu

Enrique Teran

Ricardo Izurieta

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

There is a reemergence of syphilis in the Latin American and Caribbean region. There is also very little information about HIV/Syphilis co-infection and its determinants. The aim of this study is to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in particular syphilis infection and HIV/Syphilis co-infection, as well as to estimate the prevalence of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a city with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Ecuador. In this study, questionnaires were administered to 291 adult MSM. Questions included knowledge about STIs and their sexual practices. Blood samples were taken from participants to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and HIV/syphilis co-infection. In this population, the prevalence of HIV/syphilis co-infection was 4.8%, while the prevalence of syphilis as mono-infection was 6.5%. Participants who had syphilis mono-infection and HIV/syphilis co-infection were older. Men who had multiple partners and those who were forced to have sex had increased odds of syphilis and HIV/syphilis co-infection. A high prevalence of syphilis and self-reported STI was observed, which warrants targeted behavioral interventions. Co-infections are a cause for concern when treating a secondary infection in a person who is immunocompromised. These data suggest that specific knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among MSM are associated with increased odds of STIs (including HIV/syphilis co-infections) in this region of Ecuador.

Citing Articles

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Hernandez I, Sharma V, Reina-Ortiz M, Rosas C, Ochoa T, Izurieta R Int J MCH AIDS. 2020; 9(3):397-407.

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