Factors associated with syphilis infection among 2943 men who had sex with men in Shenzhen

Objective To investigate the prevalence and other factors associated with syphilis among men who have sex with men(MSM)in Shenzhen.Methods Syphilis surveillance data was collected among MSM and analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 2943 MSM were enrolled and received voluntary counseling and testing.The infection rates of syphilis and co-infected HIV among them were 20.76% and 4.38%,respectively.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that syphilis infection among MSM was significantly associated with their occupation,role in homosexual behavior,the number of female sexual partners and anal sexual partners during the past 6 months and HIV co-infection.The relative risk of syphilis infection for MSM who were jobless or jobseekers and workers were 1.675 and 1.766 times compared with those who were office clerks,respectively.The relative risk of syphilis infection for MSM being both inserted and receptive partners was 1.450 times compared with those who were predominantly inserted partners.The relative risk of syphilis infection for MSM with the number of female sexual partners equal to 1 and more than 2 during the past 6 months were 0.873 and 0.589 times compared with those without female sexual partners,respectively.The relative risk of syphilis infection for MSM with the number of anal sexual partners ranged from 2 to 4 and more than 5 during the past 6 months were 1.353 and 1.839 times compared with those less than 1,respectively.The relative risk of syphilis infection for MSM co-infected HIV was 4.991 times compared with those with HIV negative.Conclusion The factors associated with syphilis among MSM in Shenzhen is complicated,targeted prevention of control of syphilis should be aimed to MSM.