Abstract
Background: This study aims to estimate the magnitude and changing trends of HIV, syphilis and HIV-syphilis co-infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China during 2003-2008 through a systematic review of published literature.
Methodology/Principal Findings: Chinese and English literatures were searched for studies reporting HIV and syphilis prevalence among MSM from 2003 to 2008. The prevalence estimates were summarized and analysed by meta-analyses. Meta-regression was used to identify the potential factors that are associated with high heterogeneities in meta-analysis. Seventy-one eligible articles were selected in this review (17 in English and 54 in Chinese). Nationally, HIV prevalence among MSM increased from 1.3 during 2003-2004 to 2.4 during 2005-2006 and to 4.7 during 2007-2008. Syphilis prevalence increased from 6.8 during 2003-2004 to 10.4 during 2005-2006 and to 13.5 during 2007-2008. HIV-syphilis co-infection increased from 1.4 during 2005-2006 to 2.7 during 2007-2008. Study locations and study period are the two major contributors of heterogeneities of both HIV and syphilis prevalence among Chinese MSM.
Conclusions/Significance: There have been significant increases in HIV and syphilis prevalence among MSM in China. Scale-up of HIV and syphilis screening and implementation of effective public health intervention programs should target MSM to prevent further spread of HIV and syphilis infection.
Methodology/Principal Findings: Chinese and English literatures were searched for studies reporting HIV and syphilis prevalence among MSM from 2003 to 2008. The prevalence estimates were summarized and analysed by meta-analyses. Meta-regression was used to identify the potential factors that are associated with high heterogeneities in meta-analysis. Seventy-one eligible articles were selected in this review (17 in English and 54 in Chinese). Nationally, HIV prevalence among MSM increased from 1.3 during 2003-2004 to 2.4 during 2005-2006 and to 4.7 during 2007-2008. Syphilis prevalence increased from 6.8 during 2003-2004 to 10.4 during 2005-2006 and to 13.5 during 2007-2008. HIV-syphilis co-infection increased from 1.4 during 2005-2006 to 2.7 during 2007-2008. Study locations and study period are the two major contributors of heterogeneities of both HIV and syphilis prevalence among Chinese MSM.
Conclusions/Significance: There have been significant increases in HIV and syphilis prevalence among MSM in China. Scale-up of HIV and syphilis screening and implementation of effective public health intervention programs should target MSM to prevent further spread of HIV and syphilis infection.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e22768 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
