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Online meet-up services linked to increased syphilis transmission among MSM

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An increase in syphilis transmission among men who have sex with men was associated with greater use of online services to meet sexual partners, according to data presented at the Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference in Atlanta.

Malini DeSilva, MD, MPH, of the Epidemic Intelligence Service’s Oregon public health division, and colleagues examined early syphilis infection among MSM aged 18 years or older living in Multnomah County, Oregon. Incidence rates for early syphilis in the county grew from 1.9 cases per 100,000 persons in 2007 to 31.3 per 100,000 persons in 2013.

Positive cases were lab-confirmed and reported within 2013. For each case participant, two controls with no incidence of syphilis during the previous 2 years also were enrolled. All participants completed a self-administered questionnaire reporting demographics, venues for meeting partners and recent sexual risk behaviors.

Fifty-seven case participants and 119 controls were enrolled, with no differences in race or education between groups. More participants with syphilis infections reported meeting partners online than control participants (70% vs. 42%; P <.001). Case participants also reported a median of five partners, as opposed to a medium of two among controls.

When controlling for age, HIV status, race, education and income, case participants were more likely to meet partners online (adjusted OR = 3.7; 95% CI, 1.7–8). This chance decreased (aOR = 1.4; 95% CI, 0.5–3.7) when controlling for number of partners.

“Early syphilis was associated with meeting partners online, an association explained by number of partners,” the researchers wrote. “The high percentage of participants reporting meeting partners online suggests future research is needed to determine the utility of online interventions for syphilis prevention.” – by Dave Muoio

For more information:
DeSilva M, et al. Presented at: the Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference; April 20-23, 2015; Atlanta.

Disclosure: Infectious Disease News was unable to determine financial disclosures at the time of publication.