P568 Positivity of syphilis, rectal gonorrhea and rectal chlamydia among MSM PrEP users in baltimore city, maryland. (14th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schumacher, Christina; Wu, Linxuan; Chandran, Aruna; Price, Ashley; Page, Kathleen; Davis, Maisha; Ryscavage, Patrick; Jones, Joyce; Arringon-Sanders, Renata; Tepper, Vicki; Demissew, Mimi; Greenbaum, Adena; Jennings, Jacky
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 95(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A255
• Page End: A256
• Publication Date: 2019-07-14
• Subjects: gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men -- ART -- PrEP -- STIs -- modeling and prevalence; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Bacterial STIs such as syphilis, rectal gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) are strongly associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition, and are a marker of ongoing sexual risk behavior among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users. STI positivity among men who have sex with men (MSM) PrEP-users in settings where PrEP has been implemented is understudied. Our objective was to determine syphilis and rectal GC/CT positivity among MSM PrEP-users enrolled in a large PrEP demonstration project in Baltimore City, Maryland. Methods: The demonstration project was a collaboration between a city health department, an academic evaluation partner, six clinical sites and one CBO. STI results at PrEP initiation and routine 6- and 12-month PrEP-care visits were collected among MSM receiving PrEP at participating clinical sites between September 30, 2015-March 31, 2018. Syphilis and rectal GC/CT positivity was calculated among those screened at each visit. Results: During the study period, 290 MSM initiated PrEP, of whom 46.9%(136) were Black/African-American, and 51.4%(149) aged 25–34 years. At PrEP initiation, 79.2%(230) and 56.1%(165) were screened for syphilis and rectal GC/CT, respectively; the proportion screened at 6- and 12-month PrEP-care visits was slightly lower. Overall, including PrEP initiation and care visits, 11.6%(30/258) were ever syphilis positive, 17.9%(35/196) ever rectal GC positive, and 22.5%(44/196) ever rectal CT positive. Specifically, at PrEP initiation, 7.8%(18/230) were syphilis positive; 11.1%(18/162) rectal GC positive, and 11.7% (19/162) rectal CT positive. Positivity at 6- and 12-month PrEP-care visits was similar to positivity at PrEP initiation. Conclusion: Despite CDC recommendations for biannual STI screening among PrEP-users, the proportion of MSM PrEP-users screened was suboptimal. The overall and ongoing positivity of syphilis and rectal GC/CT suggest that a substantial proportion of MSM PrEP-users may be engaging in ongoing sexual risk behaviors. Strategies are needed to encourage providers to screen PrEP-users more frequently for STIs and promote safer sexual practices. Disclosure: No significant relationships.