STI surveillance by a sentinel network of physicians in Belgium

The STI sentinel surveillance network by physicians in Belgium started in 2000. During 4 months a year, from October until January, STI patients were registered using a standardized protocol. The main goal is to determine STI incidence trends by comparing the results of the analyses using the data of the physicians that registered in all registration periods (Oct. 2000-Jan. 2001; Oct. 2001-Jan. 2002; Oct. 2002-Jan. 2003; Oct. 2003-Jan. 2004). Between the registration periods 2000-2001 and 2002-2003, there was a significant increase in the number of syphilis diagnoses (p<0.01), largely attributable to infections in men who have sex with men (MSM). A high proportion of MSM with syphilis were HIV positive. 83% of HIV positive MSM were already aware of their HIV positive status. The proportion of STI patients with HIV co-infection increased significantly throughout the different periods (from 7.4% in 2000-2001 to 18.1% in 2003-2004; p<0.01). These findings emphasize the importance of the proposal of a HIV test in a STI patient and call for intensification of prevention measures, particularly in MSM and people living with HIV.