Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infections Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Jackson Mississippi

Background:  This study examined the prevalence rates of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) attending an urban STD clinic in Jackson, MS.

Methods: Data were collected in an STI clinic of Jackson Mississippi. The men (N=207) were 15-29 years of age, identified as Black and engaged in sexual intercourse with a man in the past three months. YBMSM were screened for chlamydia by rectal, pharyngeal and urethral sites. The men had the option to refuse screening by biological site. Bivariate associations between these outcomes and status of being HIV- (74%) or HIV+ (26%) were conducted.

Results: Mean age was 22.4 years (SD=2.96). Overall 41% had evidence of CT or GC infection. CT and GC were identified in 24% and 29% of men respectively. Regarding infection site, in the urethra, 8% had CT and 9% had GC; in the pharynx, 5% had CT and 14% GC; in the rectum, 16% had CT and 18% had GC.   The prevalence of pharyngeal chlamydia was 3.34 (95% CI=1.07, 10.98) times higher among HIV+ men when compared to HIV- men. No significant differences were found for rectal and urethral chlamydia. The prevalence of urethral gonorrhea was 2.51 (95% CI= 1.02, 6.20) times higher among HIV+ men when compared to HIV- men. No significant differences were found for rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia.

Conclusions: These groups of YBMSM exhibit alarmingly high rates of CT/GC  infection regardless of their HIV status. YBMSM need access to routine CT/GC screening programs that include all anatomical sites and risk reduction interventions that may address high prevalence infection rates in this population.