Risk factors associated with prevalent and incident syphilis among an HIV-infected cohort in Northeast China

摘要

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase HIV infectivity through local inflammatory processes. Prevalent and incident STIs among people who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are indicators of high-risk sexual behaviors and imply potential spread of HIV. Little is known about the prevalence and incidence of concurrent syphilis and associated risk behaviors among PLWHA in China. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among PLWHA who attended the outpatient clinic of a designated AIDS treatment hospital in Shenyang, China, between March 2009 and May 2013. Physical examinations and syphilis serology were conducted at each visit. A questionnaire on demographic characteristics was also collected. Results 100000 copies/mL vs. ≤100000 copies/mL, aOR?=?1.56) were independent predictors for syphilis infection among PLWHA at enrollment (p?