Self-reported sexually transmitted infections and their correlates among men who have sex with men in Norway: an Internet-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe incidences of reportable sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased since the late 1990 s in Norway. The objectives of our study were to assess factors, associated with recent selected STI among MSM, living in Norway in order to guide prevention measures.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional Internet-based survey during 1-19 October 2007 among members of a MSM-oriented Norwegian website using an anonymous questionnaire on demographics, sexual behaviour, drug and alcohol use, and STI. The studied outcomes were gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV or Chlamydia infection in the previous 12 months. Associations between self-reported selected STI and their correlates were analysed by multivariable Poisson regression. P value for trend (p-trend), adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals [] were calculated.ResultsAmong 2430 eligible 16-74 years old respondents, 184 (8%) reported having had one of the following: syphilis (n = 17), gonorrhoea (n = 35), HIV (n = 42) or Chlamydia (n = 126) diagnosed in the past 12 months. Reporting Chlamydia was associated with non-western background (PR 2.8 [1.4-5.7]), number of lifetime male partners (p-trend < 0.001), unsafe sex under the influence of alcohol (PR 1.8 [1.1-2.9]) and with younger age (p-trend = 0.002). Reporting gonorrhoea was associated with unrevealed background (PR 5.9 [1.3-26.3]), having more than 50 lifetime male partners (PR 4.5 [1.3-15.6]) and more than 5 partners in the past 6 months (PR 3.1 [1.1-8.8]), while mid-range income was protective (PR 0.1 [0.0-0.6]). Reporting HIV was associated with residing in Oslo or Akershus county (PR 2.3 [1.2-4.6]), non-western background (PR 5.4 [1.9-15.3]), unrevealed income (PR 10.4 [1.5-71.4]), number of lifetime male partners (p-trend < 0.001) and being under the influence of selected drugs during sex in the past 12 months (PR 5.2 [2.7-11.4]). In addition, the frequency of feeling drunk was reversibly associated with HIV.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates different associations of demographic and behavioural factors with different STI outcomes in the study population. Number of lifetime male partners was the most important potential predictor for Chlamydia and HIV. The STI prevention efforts among MSM should focus on Oslo and Akershus, promote safe sex practices and tackle sex-related drug and alcohol use.

High rates of unprotected sex and serosorting among men who have sex with men: A national online study in Norway

“…This pattern of result is similar to the previous study in Norway [18], Scandinavian data [9,22], and other northern European studies [24][25]. A recent cohort study in the Netherlands documented that HIV seroconversion was associated with receptive UAI with non-primary partners and having more than five sexual partners [12].…”

“…These men were not more likely to test for HIV or STIs. The prevalence ratio for HIV infection among MSM in this 2010 sample (3.4%) was slightly higher than that reported in the previous study from Norway (1.7%), which may reflect the recent increase in new HIV diagnoses among MSM [7,18]. Overall, men who were younger than 30 years old, had low education, reported lower HIV knowledge and not having a condom available when they wanted one, were significantly more likely to report UAI with non-primary partners.…”

Risk Factors of HIV Co-Infection and Sexual Behaviours in Patients with Gonococcal Infection in a STI′s Clinic in Madrid

“…Furthermore, drug and/or alcohol use and sexual contacts under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol were independently associated in our sample with HIV and gonorrhoea co-infections, This relationship has also been reported in other studies in Spain, Great Britain, The Netherlands and Norway [22][23][24][25]. Other independent risk factors for HIV co-infections in our study were the presence of other STIs (such as syphilis) and having an HIV-positive stable partner, findings that are in line with those from studies in Western Europe [22].…”

Self-reported STIs and sexual health checks in a cross-sectional study of gay and bisexual men in New Zealand

“…In a 2010 study in Scotland, among MSM attending gay bars, 13.2% reported any STI in the past year, somewhat higher than the 9.3% in our comparable group. In a 2007 Norwegian internet survey of MSM, 8% reported gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia and/or HIV in the past year,15 and a similar German study 7.1% reported gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia infection and/or HCV 16. While these results tentatively suggest STIs are less common among MSM in New Zealand than in Australia and some northern European countries, but at comparable levels in others, sampling and testing differences need to be considered.…”