Syphilis Testing at a Large-scale Outreach Event

Background:
Two possible strategies to address the spread of syphilis are to identify and treat individuals with syphilis and to increase awareness and education for those most at risk. One venue to reach these individuals is at Pride Festivals, events in part targeting MSM.

Objective:
Describe the experience of a syphilis education and screening program at a large Pride Festival.

Method:
In Minnesota syphilis among MSM increased from four cases in 2001 to 80 cases in 2006 and now account for 77% of all early syphilis. In order to reach this population, in 2005, 2006, and 2007 the Red Door Clinic of Hennepin County Public Health offered information, HIV testing, and syphilis screening at the Twin Cities Pride Festival, one of the largest such festivals in the country.
The clinic solicited clients through advertising prior to the festival and through signage at the event. The Red Door set up a 700 square foot tent with testing stations and informational tables. Clients were offered materials, resources, and safer-sex supplies, and those seeking HIV testing were also given education about syphilis and the need for screening.

Result:
The total number of people tested for syphilis over the three years was 254, of whom seven were found to have undiagnosed syphilis. Of these, none were found to be primary or secondary (P&S) cases. Meanwhile, 608 received HIV testing and 8106 received educational materials and safer-sex supplies.

Conclusion:
This program has been successful in encouraging testing and identifying untreated syphilis. It has not been successful in identifying P&S cases.

Implications:
Syphilis screening at a large Pride Festival can, if properly designed, result in opportunities for client education and identifying undiagnosed cases of syphilis. However, if the program goal is to identify P&S cases, Pride outreach testing may not be effective.