Sex partner meeting venues and out-of-state sex partners among men who have sex with men with early syphilis in Connecticut.

OBJECTIVES

To examine sex partner meeting venues and out-of-state sex partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) with syphilis in Connecticut, a state with moderate syphilis prevalence.

GOAL

To better understand transmission dynamics in the current syphilis epidemic.

STUDY DESIGN

Review of health department records.

RESULTS

A total of 185 MSM were diagnosed with early syphilis in Connecticut from 2000 to 2005 (mean age, 36 years; 56% white, 37% HIV-positive). Fifty-two percent of cases reported meeting sex partners at venues that facilitate multiple and/or anonymous sexual encounters including gay clubs or bars (22%), Internet (18%), and adult bookstores (12%). Meeting sex partners in venues increased over time and was associated with nonmetropolitan residence of the case. Forty-three percent of cases had an out-of-state sex partner during the time in which they likely acquired their infection. Having out-of-state sex partners decreased during the study period. Throughout 2000-2005, having out-of-state sex partners was positively associated with bathhouse use and negatively associated with use of adult bookstores.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed pattern of increased meeting sex partners in venues located within the state and decreased out-of-state sex partners over time is suggestive of increasing transmission within the state of Connecticut.