SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AMONG MSMs- A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL FOR A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS

Abstract

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSMs) are a vulnerable population for spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Apart from being important for HIV transmission, they tend to have different distribution patterns of STDs. Few Indian studies have looked into this aspect. Objective-We retrospectively analysed the available data on MSM from a tertiary care hospital from Jan 2015 to June 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed the available data on MSM visiting STD op, KGH, Vizag. The pattern of STDs was evaluated in each patient. RESULTS Syphilis was the most common STD followed by urethral discharge and herpes genitalis. CONCLUSION Identification of MSMs is important as most of them are bisexual and promiscuous, thereby playing a role in spread of STDs in vast number of partners. The profile of STDs also differs in MSM, which makes it all the more important to identify them.