Predictors of syphilis infection among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users

Authors

  • Thanh Tran Ai Nguyen Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Department of Internal Medicine, Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Thanh Vu-Tri Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Vu Hoang Anh Nguyen Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • My-Tien Nguyen-Thi South Vietnam HIV and Addiction Technology Transfer Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Huyen-Trang Luu-Thi Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan
  • Thanh-Thao Ly Faculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Yen Thi Hoai Phan Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Thu Duc City Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13181/mji.oa.257601

Keywords:

sexually transmitted infections, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, pre-exposure prophylaxis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has revolutionized HIV prevention worldwide. However, research has shown a contradictory trend in which PrEP helps reduce HIV incidence, but increases sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in high-risk groups like men who have sex with men and female sex workers. This study aimed to examine the association between sex, age, occupational status, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with syphilis infection among PrEP users.

METHODS The cross-sectional survey was conducted over 1 year, with 864 participants in Thu Duc City Hospital, Vietnam. The chi-square test was utilized for descriptive analysis. Binary logistic regression models estimated the association between sex, age, occupational status, HBV infection, and HCV infection with syphilis infection. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS Of 864 participants, 147 (18.2%) men and 68 (23.7%) employed individuals were tested positive for syphilis. The findings indicated that men (OR = 13.805; 95% CI = 1.886−101.024), employed individuals (OR = 1.838; 95% CI = 1.191−2.834), and HBV infection (OR = 2.076; 95% CI = 1.108−3.891) were significantly associated with an increased risk of syphilis infection.

CONCLUSIONS Men, employed individuals, and individuals infected with HBV face a higher risk of syphilis infection among PrEP users.

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Published

2025-03-27

How to Cite

1.
Nguyen TTA, Vu-Tri T, Nguyen VHA, Nguyen-Thi M-T, Luu-Thi H-T, Ly T-T, et al. Predictors of syphilis infection among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users. Med J Indones [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 27 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];34(1):63-7. Available from: https://mji.ui.ac.id/journal/index.php/mji/article/view/7601

Issue

Section

Clinical Research