Search

Background Syphilis control remains a challenge in many high-income countries, including Australia, where diagnoses are concentrated among gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBM). The aim of this study is to project the syphilis epidemic among GBM under a range of scenarios. Methods:A dynamic coinfection model of HIV and syphilis transmission among GBM in Victoria, Australia, was parametrised to test data from clinics in Melbourne and syphilis case notifications in Victoria. Projected outcomes were new syphilis infections between 2018 and 2025 under seven testing and behaviour change scenarios. Results:Among HIV-negative GBM, the model estimated that increasing syphilis testing coverage (69% – 75%) and frequency (~8-monthly – 6-monthly) could prevent 5% and 13% of syphilis cases respectively between 2018 and 2025 compared to the status quo. Among HIV-positive GBM, less syphilis testing due to changes in HIV care increased syphilis cases by 29% between 2018 and 2025 compared to the status quo. Under a scenario of 20% HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) coverage among HIV-negative GBM (and associated increased serodiscordant sex, reduced condom use and increased syphilis testing), syphilis cases were estimated to decrease by 6% among HIV-negative GBM and by 3% among HIV-positive GBM compared to the status quo, driven by increased testing among PrEP users. Conclusion:The present study findings support syphilis control policies focusing on increased testing among GBM. Current Australian PrEP guidelines of quarterly syphilis testing are likely to negate any increases in syphilis due to risk compensation occurring with PrEP scale-up.

The use of inhaled nitrites, or poppers, among men who have sex with men (MSM) is prevalent, yet has been associated with HIV seroconversion. We surveyed 580 MSM from a geosocial networking smartphone application in Paris, France, in 2016. Of the respondents, 46.7% reported popper use within the previous 3 months. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics found that the use of poppers was significantly (P

This study determined whether YBMSM endorsing serosorting are less likely to use condoms. A questionnaire assessed men’s attitudes towards serosorting with a three-item scale; various sexual risk behaviours were measured using a 90-day recall period. Favourable attitudes toward serosorting were associated with a greater likelihood of condomless sex as a top (P

Background: We aimed to quantify the frequency of HIV serosorting among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Germany, and evaluate the association of serosorting with other sexual risk management approaches (RMA) and with the frequency of bacterial sexually transmissible infections (STI). Methods: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed through German online sexual networking sites and medical practices in 2006. The analysis was based on 2985 respondents who reported an HIV test result. Based on two questions on RMA, serosorting was classified as tactical (an event-based decision) or strategic (a premeditated search for a seroconcordant partner). The analysis was stratified by HIV serostatus and seroconcordant partnership status. Results: HIV serosorting patterns were different for HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants. Tactical serosorting ranked second after RMA based on condom use (HIV-positive: 55.1%, HIV-negative: 45.1%; P