Source
Rilene A. Chew Ng, Michael C. Samuel, Terrence Lo, and Gail Bolan are with the California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch, Richmond. Kyle T. Bernstein is with STD Prevention and Control Services, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA. Getahun Aynalem is with the STD Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA. Jeffrey D. Klausner is with the Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.
Abstract
Objectives. We examined primary and secondary syphilis cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in California, and the association of methamphetamine use and Internet use to meet sex partners (Internet use) with number of sex partners. Methods. We analyzed California surveillance data for MSM who were diagnosed with syphilis between 2004 and 2008, to assess differences in the mean number of sex partners by methamphetamine use and mutually exclusive groups of patients reporting Internet use (Internet users). Results. Large proportions of patients reported methamphetamine use (19.2%) and Internet use (36.4%). From 2006 through 2008, Adam4Adam was the most frequently reported Web site statewide, despite temporal and regional differences in Web site usage. Methamphetamine users reported more sex partners (mean = 11.7) than nonmethamphetamine users (mean = 5.6; P < .001). Internet users reported more sex partners (mean = 9.8) than non-Internet users (mean = 5.0; P < .001). Multivariable analysis of variance confirmed an independent association of methamphetamine and Internet use with increased numbers of sex partners. Conclusions. Higher numbers of partners among MSM syphilis patients were associated with methamphetamine and Internet use. Collaboration between currently stand-alone interventions targeting methamphetamine users and Internet users may offer potential advances in sexually transmitted disease control efforts. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print November 15, 2012: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300808).