Risk factors of syphilis co-infection among HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Tel-Aviv, Israel

Syphilis incidence in Israel and other industrialized countries has increased in the past decade, mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM) who were co-infected with HIV. This study aimed to assess the demographic characteristics and behavioral risk factors for syphilis infection among HIV-infect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS care 2019-09, Vol.31 (9), p.1157-1161
Main Authors: Polansky, Amir, Levy, Itzchak, Mor, Zohar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Adult
AIDS
AIDS/HIV
Anal intercourse
Antiretroviral agents
Antiretroviral therapy
Co-infection
Coinfection - epidemiology
Comorbidity
Condoms
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demographics
Disease transmission
Gays & lesbians
Health risks
HIV
HIV Infections - epidemiology
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Industrialized nations
Infections
Israel
Israel - epidemiology
Male
Medical diagnosis
Men who have sex with men
Mens health
MSM
Notification
Risk analysis
Risk behavior
Risk Factors
Risk taking
Serology
Sex
Sexual and Gender Minorities - statistics & numerical data
Sexual behavior
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Surveys and Questionnaires
Syphilis
Syphilis - epidemiology
Unsafe Sex - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Syphilis incidence in Israel and other industrialized countries has increased in the past decade, mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM) who were co-infected with HIV. This study aimed to assess the demographic characteristics and behavioral risk factors for syphilis infection among HIV-infected MSM in the Tel-Aviv region, Israel. This cross-sectional study compared HIV-infected MSM who were co-infected with syphilis since 2005 with HIV-infected MSM without syphilis, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed at the AIDS treatment clinic in central Israel in 2016. This study included 75 HIV-infected MSM who were diagnosed with syphilis after their HIV diagnosis and 99 HIV-infected MSM without syphilis. Variables associated with syphilis infection included inadequate adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) (OR = 1.8 [1.2-2.4]), frequent unprotected receptive anal intercourse (UAI) with casual sex partners (OR = 2.2 [1.5-8.2]), especially with HIV-infected partner (OR = 3.2 [1.1-7.9]). In conclusion, HIV and syphilis co-infection were associated with frequent UAI with casual sex partners, inadequate adherence to ART and limited partner notification. In order to minimize syphilis transmission among HIV-infected MSM, AIDS clinics should encourage HIV-infected MSM to use condoms, ensure that patients perform periodic syphilis serology testing and improve partner notifications.
ISSN:0954-0121
1360-0451
DOI:10.1080/09540121.2019.1612006