Correlates of Incident Infections for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B Virus in A Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beijing

Abstract

Recent data suggest that the prevalence of HIV/syphilis infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China increased rapidly. This cohort study was to assess the correlates of the incident infections for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among sexually active and HIV-negative MSM in China. A cohort of 507 HIVseronegative MSM was recruited from November 2006 to February 2007. Sociodemographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, uptake of HIV-prevention services, and HIV, syphilis, and HBV seroconversions were assessed at 6-and 12-month follow-up. The incidence rates were 2.6 per 100 person-years for HIV, 16.9 per 100 person-years for syphilis, and 3.3 per 100 person-years for HBV. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that syphilis infection (hazard ratio [HR] ¼ 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-11.6) and no perceived risk of HIV infection (HR ¼ 6.0; 95% CI: 1.6-22.7) were independently associated with HIV seroconversion. Predictors for syphilis seroconversion included less education (HR ¼ 1.87; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3), found male sex partners through bathhouses/public washrooms/parks (HR ¼ 2.19; 95% CI: 1.2-4.0), drank alcohol 4 or more times monthly (HR ¼ 1.95; 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), and had sexually transmitted diseases (HR ¼ 2.65; 95% CI: 1.5-4.5). The only predictor for incident HBV seroconvension was having more male sex partners in the past 3 months (HR ¼ 11.8; 95% CI: 1.5-90.4). Alarmingly high incidence rates of HIV, syphilis, and HBV were found among MSM concurrently with high prevalent risky behaviors and low uptakes of health care services. The findings of this study underscore the urgent needs for a comprehensive intervention strategy to curtail the rapid spread of HIV, syphilis, and HBV.

Prevalence, risk factors and hepatitis B immunization: helping fill the gap on hepatitis B epidemiology among homeless people, Goiânia, Central Brazil

“…We found that self-reported homosexual or bisexual orientation was statistically associated with HBV exposure (p = 0.009 and p = 0.030), corroborating previous studies that have shown a higher risk of hepatitis B among men who have sex with men (MSM) 23,24 . Many MSM have multiple sexual partners and use condoms inconsistently during sexual intercourse, behaviors that put them at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis B 23,25 .…”

“…Many MSM have multiple sexual partners and use condoms inconsistently during sexual intercourse, behaviors that put them at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis B 23,25 .…”

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and subsequent sexual activity among adult males in a rural community of ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province, China

“…The global literature, including the limited number of studies in China, suggests that alcohol use and abuse are positively associated with a number of risky sexual behaviors and outcomes such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and syphilis (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(32)(33)(34)(35). However, these studies often examine global instead of temporal (i.e., sex after drinking) associations.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in a Reference Center

“…In accordance with the findings of our research, another study shows that consumption of alcohol is a predictor for syphilis when compared to HIV and HBV. In addition, individuals who drink are more likely to have multiple sexual partners and less likely to use condoms consistently 32 .…”