Association between Syphilis and HIV in the Men Sex with Men (MSM) Population in Indonesia in 2015: Secondary Data Analysis of Integrated Behavior and Biological Survey (IBBS) 2015

Abstract

Background: Each year, there are an estimated 6 million new cases of syphilis globally in persons aged
15 to 49 years. Syphilis remains a risk factor among Men Sex with Men and other groups who tend to have
multiple sex partners. As is known, people who suffer from syphilis increase the risk for contracting and
transmitting HIV infection to others. This is because the mode of transmission of Syphilis and HIV have
in common. Syphilis among Men Sex with Men needs special attention because if it is not immediately
addressed it is likely to enter the heterosexual population and the impact will be even greater.
Method: A cross sectional study: Integrated Behavior Biological Survey (IBBS) in 2015 is managed by
the Ministry of Health every four years as part of evaluating HIV AIDS programs in Indonesia. The study
was conducted in 6 selected provinces to 1,496 Men Sex with Men, behavioral data collection was done by
interview while biological data in this case Syphilis and HIV were carried out by laboratory examination of
blood samples
Results: Studies show that syphilis is a risk factor for HIV with (95% CI) RR = 2.2 (1.8 - 2.8). The
combination of syphilis, education level and condom use consistently increases the risk to 2.5 (1.03 - 5.84).
Conclusions: There is a association between syphilis positive and HIV positive. Syphilis increases the
risk of HIV cases up to 2 times among Men Sex with Men. Syphilis continues to be an uncontrolled public
health problem with high rates of syphilis re-infection among Men Sex with Menpopulation in Indonesia.
Prevention as a more effective approach can be done simultaneously considering that both Syphilis and HIV
can be prevented in the same way