Syphilis associated with recreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men: a case–control study in China

Abstract

ObjectiveWe investigated syphilis prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, as well as potential risk factors. Our principal hypothesis was that syphilis would be associated with the use of recreational drugs such as methamphetamines.MethodsFrom April to October 2013, we used several methods to recruit MSM in Qingdao, collecting demographic/behavioural information via self-administrated questionnaires. Trained health workers collected blood for the Treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA) with positives confirmed by a toluidine red unheated serum test. We used an unmatched case–control study to identify factors that might predict syphilis infection using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsWe recruited 447 MSM who agreed to participate and who completed syphilis testing. Of 71 (15.9%) syphilis-positive MSM, 44 (62.0%) used drugs. Of 376 (84.1%) syphilis-negative MSM, 186 (49.5%) used drugs. We found a positive association with syphilis for any recreational drug use (crude OR (cOR) 1.7, 95 % CI 1.0 to 2.8), frequent methamphetamine use (cOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.3) and multiple drug use (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 9.2). Syphilis-positive men were more likely to have a higher physical depression score (aOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 24.4), be > 30 years old (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.8), report a prior STI (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.3 to 7.3) and report a sex party experience (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4).ConclusionsRecreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviours were associated with syphilis infection among MSM in China. Only a multifaceted approach is likely be effective in control of both syphilis and HIV .

Determinants of syphilis infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2020

“…Furthermore, substance use has become a public health problem in Ethiopia today, despite the national master plan on drug control [ 43 ]. People with substance use disorder have an increased risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviors, exposing them to a higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases [ 44 ]. As well, pregnant women with a history of substance or drug use were reluctant to seek antenatal care and to be tested for and treated for syphilis.…”

Case Report: Secondary Syphilis And Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection

“…These bacteria can be seen using a darkfield or phase contrast microscope [7]. A total of 80.6% of men with syphilis were MSM, and 47% were coinfected with HIV due to unsafe sexual behavior and recreational drug use [8,9]. In Indonesia, the prevalence of syphilis in 2011 was still high, 9% of cases were MSM.…”

Association between Peer Education and HIV Testing Among Student MSM in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to this study, the prevalence of HIV infection among 17-24 years old student MSM in Tian, China was 5%,which is higher than previous study from 2003 to 2016 (5,18,19)but is consistent with report from UNAIDS about 16-24 years old YMSM in 2018 (4).There was no statistically signi cance for the HIV prevalence between student MSM who had tested and who not(5.4%VS4.6%).A higher rate of recreational drug use(44.8%VS30.3%) among student MSM who had tested was found. This might be explained by the association between recreational drug use and high-risky sexual behaviors and STD infection (20)(21)(22)(23). Risky behaviors and status may put students on HIV testing.…”

“…However, according to a report in China(2017), the proportion was 64.77%, a little bit lower than countries above (11). In addition, the YMSM who were sexually active were always exposed to highrisky behaviors such as recreational drug use (12) and condomless anal sex(10, 13) due to lack of sex education and susceptible value conception (5,14). All the above put young men at high risk for HIV infection.…”

“…Peer education is a relatively low-cost strategy for preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) worldwide and is bene cial for both peer educator and receptor especially among the young (15)(16)(17). In 2018, a study in America about sex education and HIV testing among YMSM showed that YMSM were more likely to have ever tested for HIV if they knew about how to prevent HIV from a partner (12). A cohort study in Yemeni (17) demonstrated that school-based peer education signi cantly increased knowledge about HIV, decreasing levels of stigma and discrimination.…”