Hung CP, Wang WC, Jen I, Chen YM; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. C10860.

Society of Preventive Medicine in Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Objectives of this study is to estimate the prevalence rates of HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending saunas in Taipei. METHODS: A team comprised of a safe-sex educator, a nurse and a volunteer was formed to provide free HIV and syphilis tests and safe sex education to patrons at local gay saunas in Taipei weekly. The patrons obtained the blood test results either by phone (for seronegative persons) or in person (for seropositive individuals) from social workers. RESULTS: From March 2000 to Feb. 2001, 340 men from gay saunas received blood tests and counseling, and the results showed that 49 (14.4%) were infected with HIV-1 (WB confirmed), 52 (15.3%) had syphilis (VDRL positive and TPHA titer > 160), and 16 (4.7%) had both infections. In the next year survey conducted from January to December 2001, 307 men agreed to participate in this study. 16 (5.2%) of them were infected with HIV-1, 29 (9.4%) with syphilis infection, and 3 (1%) dual infections. CONCLUSIONS: This 2-year consecutive survey showed that both the prevalence rates of HIV-1 and syphilis were very high among men attending gay saunas in Taipei. Although the overall seroprevalence rates of either HIV-1 or syphilis in MSM sauna during the last 12 months are lower than those of the first year, it should be cautious to interpret the data. It is unlikely that the real incidence rate is declining among MSM attending sauna. According to the official data, HIV new cases are still rising faster among them than any other groups in Taiwan. Possible explanations include screening effect, self-selection bias effect, risky patrons shift to quick testing provided in STD clinic, etc. This is the only one study about MSM attending sauna and HIV-1 infection in Taiwan. It's necessary to extend the geographic coverage and continue to monitor the seroprevalence rates and investigate the associated risk factors among MSM.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• HIV-1
• Homosexuality, Male
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Safe Sex
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• Syphilis
• Taiwan

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0019439

UI: 102256937

From Meeting Abstracts