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Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by sexually transmitted infections (STI). STI are often extragenital and asymptomatic. Both can delay diagnosis and treatment. HIV-positive (HIV+) MSM often show higher STI-prevalence than HIV-negative MSM (HIV-). Approval of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) might have influenced sexual behaviour and STI-prevalence of HIV- MSM. We estimated STI-prevalence and risk factors amongst HIV- and HIV+ MSM in Germany to plan effective interventions. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional study between 2/2018-7/2018. Thirteen MSM-friendly STI-practices screened MSM for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using self-collected rectal and pharyngeal swabs, and urine samples. APTIMATM STI-assays (HologicTM Inc., San Diego, USA) were used for diagnostics, and samples were not pooled. We collected information on socio-demographics, HIV-status, clinical symptoms, sexual behaviour within the last 6 months, and PrEP-use. We combined HIV status and PrEP use for defining risk groups, and used multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors for STI. Results: 2,303 MSM were included: 50.5% HIV+, median age 39 [18-79] years. Median number of male sex partners within the last six months was 5. Unprotected anal intercourse (active and/or passive, UAI) was reported by 73.2%, 43.5% use of party drugs. 78.9% had a STI history, 32.1% of STI+ MSM reported STI-related symptoms. 27.6% of HIV- MSM used PrEP. Overall STI-prevalence was 30,1%, and 25.0% in HIV-/PrEP- MSM (CT:7.2%; MG:14.2%; NG:7.4%; TV:0%), 40.3% in HIV-/PrEP+ MSM (CT:13.8%; MG:19.4%; NG:14.8%; TV:0.4%), and 30.8% in HIV+ MSM (CT:10.1%; MG:18.4%; NG:8.6%; TV:0.1%). Independent risk factors were HIV/PrEP-status (HIV-/PrEP+ OR:1.4; 95%-CI:1.0-2.0; HIV+ OR:1.5; 95%-CI:1.1-1.9), >5 sex partners (OR:1.5; 95%-CI:1.2-1.9), UAI (OR:1.9; 95%-CI:1.5-2.6), and use of party drugs (OR:1.5; 95%-CI:1.2-2.0). Conclusions: We found a high STI-prevalence in MSM in Germany, especially in PrEP users, frequently being asymptomatic. Higher STI prevalence in PrEP users than in HIV+ MSM was partly explained by differences in risk behaviour. As a relevant proportion of PrEP users will not use a condom, counselling and comprehensive STI screening is essential and should be low threshold and preferably free of cost. Counselling of PrEP users should also address use of party drugs.
MSM, prevalence, PrEP, HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium
MSM, prevalence, PrEP, HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium
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