Sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected heavy drinkers in St Petersburg, Russia

Int J STD AIDS. 2012 Dec;23(12):853-8. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2012.012004.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of four sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV-infected Russians reporting heavy alcohol use and recent unprotected sex, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the HERMITAGE study. The primary outcome was any current STI, based on urine tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis and serological testing for infection with Treponema pallidum. Data on potential demographic and behavioural predictors of STI were obtained from surveys administered at study entry. Of 682 participants, 12.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.3, 15.3) tested positive for at least one STI. In a multivariable model adjusted for gender, age and marital status, only sex trade involvement over the last three months was significantly associated with an increased odds of STI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.00, 95% CI 1.13, 3.55). Given that STIs were common in this HIV-infected cohort, and that few patient characteristics predicted STI, the current practice of screening HIV-infected Russians for syphilis alone merits re-evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholism / virology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Russia / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / complications
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data