Community Reactions to a Syphilis Prevention Campaign for Gay and Bisexual Men in Los Angeles County

Abstract

“Stop the Sores” (STS), a humor-based syphilis prevention campaign, was implemented in response to increasing syphilis prevalence among gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles County. In 2004, 564 men completed surveys measuring exposure and reactions to the campaign and syphilis testing. Mean age was 39, and men of color comprised a significant proportion of the sample (46.8%). Most men reported being HIV-negative (79.3%). Overall, 7.8% of the sample reported ever having syphilis; HIV-positive men were six times more likely to report this. Over one half of the sample (58.5%) reported exposure to the campaign. Men reporting any recent unprotected anal sex were twice more likely (than those who did not) to see the campaign. Men of color were twice more likely than White men to report wanting to speak to their friends about it. Finally, 39.1% of men exposed to the campaign reported being tested for syphilis as a result. Factors related to higher likelihood to test for syphilis included HIV seropositive status, any recent unprotected anal insertive sex, recent use of methamphetamine, recent use of “poppers,” and recent use of erectile dysfunction drugs. Although STS was somewhat effective, outreach efforts to particular subgroups may need to increase.

This article was received, reviewed, and accepted for publication under the Editorship of John DeLamater.

The Sex and Love v3.0 Project was supported by the Hunter College Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training under the direction of Jeffrey T. Parsons. We acknowledge the contributions of the Sex and Love Study v3.0 team and Justin Brown for their valuable feedback. In addition, we give special thanks to Jorge A. Montoya, PhD, Director of Communications & Program Evaluation, and Harlan Rotblatt, Contract Monitor for “Stop the Sores!,” both at the STD Program, Department of Health Services of the County of Los Angeles.

Notes

¹Of the HIV-negative men, 69.8% reported HIV testing within the last year.

∗p < .05. ∗∗p < .10.