Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India
Introduction: Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are at high-risk for acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The high prevalence of STIs, such as syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B, necessitates regular screening in the MSM...
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JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
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| author | R Sowmiya Bt Priya Ragini Rajan V Anandan Ramya Selvaraj |
| author_facet | R Sowmiya Bt Priya Ragini Rajan V Anandan Ramya Selvaraj |
| author_sort | R Sowmiya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are at high-risk for acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The high prevalence of STIs, such as syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B, necessitates regular screening in the MSM group. Furthermore, the presence of these STIs increases the transmission of HIV. Unfortunately, limited data are available regarding STI prevalence among MSM in India. Understanding the prevalence in this high-risk group aids in rapid diagnosis and effective control of infections, thereby reducing their transmission.
Aim: To analyse the prevalence of STIs in the MSM group in Venereology Outpatient Department (OPD) in a Tertiary care centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Materials and Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India over a period of one year (January 2023 - December 2023). The study included 110 men who were brought in by voluntary organisations or who walked in directly to the Venereology department and identified themselves as homosexuals. Their socio-demographic data, detailed contact history, chief complaints, relevant investigations, and treatments provided were recorded and analysed. All data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
Results: Out of the 110 men enrolled in this study, most were in the 18 to 29 years age group, and a predominant 58 (52.72%) reported engaging in unprotected sexual practices. Specifically, 67 (60.91%) of the men identified themselves as strictly homosexuals, while 43 (39.1%) identified as bisexuals. Further inquiry about their partners revealed that 24 (21.82%) had contact with known partners, while 86 (78.18%) had contact with unknown partners, primarily through dating apps and social media platforms. Among the 42 patients diagnosed with STIs, syphilis was the most common, affecting 15 (13.63%) individuals. The second most common STI was HIV, seen in 10 (9.09%) of which 4 had co-infection with syphilis. The next most common STIs diagnosed were genital herpes in 7 (6.36%), gonorrhea in 6 (5.45%), genital warts in 3 (2.73%), hepatitis B in 3 (2.73%), and genital scabies in 2 (1.81%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs in this study was found to be 38.18%. This study underscores the importance of understanding the prevalence of STIs, which may aid in targeted interventions to address STI transmission, particularly among young adults and MSM populations. Efforts should focus on promoting safer sexual practices, increasing access to testing and treatment, and providing education and support to both individuals and their partners. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf5e346e5a07490699eb6430b80f8721 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2249-782X 0973-709X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited |
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| spelling | doaj-art-bf5e346e5a07490699eb6430b80f87212024-11-18T11:49:29ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2024-11-011811061010.7860/JCDR/2024/72976.20264Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, IndiaR Sowmiya0Bt Priya1Ragini Rajan2V Anandan3Ramya Selvaraj4Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Postgraduate Student, Department of Dermatology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Introduction: Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are at high-risk for acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The high prevalence of STIs, such as syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B, necessitates regular screening in the MSM group. Furthermore, the presence of these STIs increases the transmission of HIV. Unfortunately, limited data are available regarding STI prevalence among MSM in India. Understanding the prevalence in this high-risk group aids in rapid diagnosis and effective control of infections, thereby reducing their transmission. Aim: To analyse the prevalence of STIs in the MSM group in Venereology Outpatient Department (OPD) in a Tertiary care centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India over a period of one year (January 2023 - December 2023). The study included 110 men who were brought in by voluntary organisations or who walked in directly to the Venereology department and identified themselves as homosexuals. Their socio-demographic data, detailed contact history, chief complaints, relevant investigations, and treatments provided were recorded and analysed. All data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Out of the 110 men enrolled in this study, most were in the 18 to 29 years age group, and a predominant 58 (52.72%) reported engaging in unprotected sexual practices. Specifically, 67 (60.91%) of the men identified themselves as strictly homosexuals, while 43 (39.1%) identified as bisexuals. Further inquiry about their partners revealed that 24 (21.82%) had contact with known partners, while 86 (78.18%) had contact with unknown partners, primarily through dating apps and social media platforms. Among the 42 patients diagnosed with STIs, syphilis was the most common, affecting 15 (13.63%) individuals. The second most common STI was HIV, seen in 10 (9.09%) of which 4 had co-infection with syphilis. The next most common STIs diagnosed were genital herpes in 7 (6.36%), gonorrhea in 6 (5.45%), genital warts in 3 (2.73%), hepatitis B in 3 (2.73%), and genital scabies in 2 (1.81%). Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs in this study was found to be 38.18%. This study underscores the importance of understanding the prevalence of STIs, which may aid in targeted interventions to address STI transmission, particularly among young adults and MSM populations. Efforts should focus on promoting safer sexual practices, increasing access to testing and treatment, and providing education and support to both individuals and their partners.https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20264/72976_CE[Ra1]_QC(AnK)_F(IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(AG_KM)_PN(KM).pdfhomosexualssexually transmitted diseasesyphilis |
| spellingShingle | R Sowmiya Bt Priya Ragini Rajan V Anandan Ramya Selvaraj Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research homosexuals sexually transmitted disease syphilis |
| title | Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India |
| title_full | Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India |
| title_short | Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Self-reporting Men Who have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, India |
| title_sort | prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in self reporting men who have sex with men a cross sectional study from chennai india |
| topic | homosexuals sexually transmitted disease syphilis |
| url | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20264/72976_CE[Ra1]_QC(AnK)_F(IS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(AG_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
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