Self-Reported Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing and Diagnosis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men-20 US Cities, 2011 and 2014.

BACKGROUND

Annual screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is recommended for sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) at anatomical sites of contact, regardless of condom use.

METHODS

We assessed differences in self-reported chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and diagnosis in the past 12 months among MSM using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data from 2011 and 2014. Men who have sex with men who had 1 or more partners in the past 12 months were included in analyses. Analyses of chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnosis data were limited to participants who reported past 12 months chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, respectively. Differences in testing and diagnosis over time were assessed using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors separately for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

RESULTS

Analyses included data from 18,896 MSM (2011, n = 9256; 2014, n = 9640). Testing for chlamydia was 37% in 2011 and 47% in 2014 (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.30) and 38% and 47% for gonorrhea (PR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.19-1.29). Testing was higher in 2014 among most demographic subgroups. Prevalence of chlamydia diagnoses was 8% in 2011 and 11% in 2014 (PR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18-1.59) and of gonorrhea diagnoses was 10% in 2011 and 14% in 2014 (adjusted PR: 1.40, 95% CI, 1.23-1.60). Larger changes in diagnoses were observed among MSM in the white and "other" racial categories and those who disclosed same-sex behavior to their health care provider.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported testing and diagnoses among MSM increased from 2011 to 2014. Increased efforts are needed to meet annual sexually transmitted disease screening recommendations among MSM at high HIV risk.