[Co-infections of HIV, syphilis and HSV-2 among men who have sex with men at the voluntary HIV counseling and testing clinics in Shanghai].

Objective: To understand the prevalence rates of HIV-syphilis and HIV-herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) co-infections and related factors among men having sex with men (MSM) who had visited the voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Shanghai, China. Methods: 756 eligible MSM who attended the VCT clinics of Shanghai Municipality and Putuo district during March to August, 2015 were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey with questionnaire interview and blood testing for HIV, syphilis and HSV-2. Results: A total of 732 participants completed a valid questionnaire survey. The prevalence rates were 3.3% (24/732) for HIV/Syphilis co-infection, 1.9% (14/732) for HIV/HSV-2 co-infection, and 0.7% (5/732) for HIV/Syphilis/HSV-2 co-infection, respectively. HIV prevalence appeared significantly higher among syphilis-infected participants (45.3%, 24/53) than those without Syphilis (7.2%, 61/679) (χ(2)=63.11, P<0.001), and was also significantly higher among HSV-2 infected participants (34.1%, 14/41) than those without the HSV-2 infection (10.3%, 71/691) (χ(2)=21.49, P<0.001). Results from the Multivariate regression analysis indicated that participants who were migrants (OR=3.50, 95%CI: 1.01-12.17), having had middle school or lower levels of education (OR=4.46, 95%CI: 1.54-12.87) or ever used illicit drugs (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 1.67-10.82, P=0.002) were under possible risks on HIV and Syphilis co-infection. Those participants who had high middle school or lower levels of education (OR=6.87, 95%CI: 1.86-25.42; OR=9.82, 95%CI: 2.25-42.85) were under risk on HIV and HSV-2 co-infection. Conclusion: HIV/Syphilis and HIV/HSV-2 co-infection were seen among MSM who attended the VCT clinics in Shanghai that called for special attention, especially on migrants, those with low education or illicit drug users.