Prevalence of syphilis and related factors in men who have sex with men in Mianyang, Sichuan

ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of syphilis and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM).MethodsMSM aged 15–24 years were recruited by snowball sampling method in Mianyang of Sichuan to establish a cohort for anonymous questionnaire survey and Treponema pallidum test before intervention. The related factors for syphilis prevalence were analyzed by χ2 test and univariate and multivariate non-conditional logistic regression models.ResultsA Total of 362 qualified questionnaire were returned, the cumulative prevalence of syphilis was 10.77% (39/362), the prevalence of syphilis was 6.08% (22/362), and the co-prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis was 2.76% (10/362). Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥20 years, monthly income ＞2 000 yuan (RMB), open sexual orientation, depressive symptom and HIV infection were the influencing factors for syphilis among the MSM (P＜0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of syphilis infection rate was high in MSM in Mianyang, Syphilis status had an obvious synergistic effect on HIV infection. Open sexual orientation and unhealthy mental status increased the risk for syphilis. The joint prevention and treatment of HIV infection and syphilis should be strengthened.