[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.