ABSTRACT
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.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
ORCID
Polansky Amir http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1619-6928
Levy Itzchak http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4716-1293
Mor Zohar http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3458-1611
Correction Statement
This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.