Syphilis Prevalence, Incidence, and Demographic Differences in a Longitudinal Study of Young Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Assigned Male at Birth

Abstract

Background: Syphilis rates in the United States have increased. Few studies have examined syphilis incidence and prevalence prospectively among young sexual and gender minorities (YSGM).

Methods: This study of YSGM assigned male at birth comes from a Chicago-based prospective cohort at 2 visits 6 months apart (N = 882). Syphilis cases were identified through serologic test results and self-reported history.

Results: In this sample, 25.1% had a lifetime prevalence, and 3.3% were incident cases with a crude incidence rate of 6.76 per 100 person-years.

Conclusions: Lifetime syphilis and incidence are high in this sample of YSGM relative to general population samples.

Keywords: STI; men who have sex with men; syphilis incidence; syphilis prevalence; transgender.