Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, Georgia 2000 – 2006

Background:
Reported cases of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Georgia have increased sharply since 2000 (Among all syphilis cases reported in 2000, the percentage in MSM was 17.6% (14/267), and it has increased to 56.5% (300/531) in 2006). Identifying characteristics of this population is essential for STD intervention programs.

Objective:
Among men with syphilis, identify characteristics of MSM.

Method:
Male 2000 – 2006 Georgia STD Syphilis Interview Records were used. MSM were defined as men with syphilis who self-reported having sex with other men in their interview records. Multivariable binary logistic regression was applied to define characteristics of MSM including age, race; ethnicity; stages of syphilis infection; and district of residency. Alpha was set at .05 for statistical significance

Result:
Among males with syphilis, MSM were more likely to be White than African American (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR): 2.3, confidence interval 95% (CI): 2.0 – 2.6), and likely to be non-Hispanics than Hispanics (OR: 3.1, CI: 2.4 – 4.1). MSM were more likely to be diagnosed with early syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent), (OR: 5.2, CI: 4.6 – 5.9) than were other men. MSM were more likely to report Atlanta Metro District residence (OR: 2.6, CI: 2.2 – 3.0) than were other men. MSM were generally younger than other men (mean age MSM: 34; mean age other men: 39, one sample t test p-value <0.001).

Conclusion:
Among males with syphilis, MSM are more likely to be white, younger, non-Hispanic, living in the Atlanta area, and diagnosed at an earlier stage of disease.

Implications:
Risk factors for syphilis among MSM need further research.