Risk Factors and Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).
• Limited data exist on STI risk factors and incidence in large, representative cohorts of PWH.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for targeted prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the incidence and identify risk factors for STIs in people with HIV within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS).
• To provide data for adapting screening programs and recommendations for STI testing.
• To inform public health interventions for vulnerable populations.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection on STIs, demographics, clinical, and behavioral characteristics from October 2017 to November 2019.
• Utilized multilevel Poisson regression to analyze incidence rate ratios of various STIs.
• Included over 10,000 participants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Main Results:

• Overall STI incidence was 91.9 per 1000 person-years of follow-up.
• Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia were the most common STIs reported.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) under 50, younger age groups, occasional partners, and injecting drug use were associated with significantly higher STI risk.

Conclusions:

• STIs are frequent in people with HIV and vary significantly by age and risk group.
• Current screening programs and STI testing recommendations require adaptation based on identified risk factors.
• Tailored public health strategies are necessary to reduce STI burden in PWH.