Risk Factors and Prevalence of the Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including the HIV. Few studies have been conducted regarding the epidemiologic status of HIV and STIs among the MSM. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of the STIs among the MSM.
In this cross-sectional study, 43 men with history of sexual contact with other men in the last year were invited to the study. After ensuring the confidentiality, the participants completed the study questionnaire and underwent testing for the HCV-Ab, HBS-Ag, VDRL and HIV-Ab. Positive HIV test results was confirmed with the Western Blot.
More than half of the participants had a history of child sexual abuse. About half of the participants (44.2%) had symptoms of the STIs. Prevalence of the HIV was 7% and prevalence of the Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B were 18.6% and 2.3%, respectively. There were no positive cases of Syphilis. Only 7% of the MSM always used condoms in their sexual contacts. Decreasing sexual satisfaction was the most important reason mentioned by the MSM who did not use condoms.
In order to control the HIV epidemic in people with high risk behaviors, focusing on the intervention (prevention and treatment) services including condoms promotion, educational programs, and HIV counseling and testing seems to be necessary