Description
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) among a cohort of HIV-infected men in the military. A sample of 99 participants, showing no signs of either infection, were screened for CT and GC at three anatomic sites (urethra, rectum, and pharynx) using nucleic acid amplification testing, and were given a self-administered sexual behavior survey. The prevalence rate was found to be 24.4% for either infection, 20.7% for CT, and 9.6% for GC. The risk factors associated with infection were having male sex partners, sex at least once a week, engaging in anal sex, not engaging vaginal sex, not expecting monogamy in a serious relationship, having sex outside a serious relationship, and having sex mostly with casual friends. Among these knowingly HIV-infected men, only slightly more than 50% always used condoms during vaginal or anal sex, and only 13% during oral sex. This investigation provided evidence that these men were engaging in risky behaviors that could spread HIV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are also associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. Further studies need to examine a larger sample of men and collect information on demographic characteristics (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, marital status) and HIV markers (e.g., viral load, CD4 count), which have been found to be predictors of STI coinfections among HIV-infected men in previous investigations.
