Incidence of HIV-1, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C virus infections and predictors associated with retention in a 12-month follow-up study among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of HIV-1 syphilis hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and predictors associated with retention in a 12-month follow-up study among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing China. METHODS: A total of 507 eligible seronegative MSM were enrolled. Study participants were tested for HIV-1 syphilis HBV and HCV and counseled at the baseline 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits. The retention rates were analyzed as a function of demographic behavioral and recruitment variables. RESULTS: Of the 507 participants 86.2% (437) were retained in the cohort at the 12-month follow-up visit. The incidence rates were 2.6 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1% to 4.1%] for HIV-1 infection 16.9 per 100 person-years for syphilis (95% CI: 12.4% to 21.3%) 3.3 per 100 person-years for HBV (95% CI: 1.5% to 5.1%) and 0.2 per 100 person-years for HCV (95% CI: 0% to 0.7%). Higher education (adjusted odds ratio = 1.94 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.66) and appearing at the 6-month follow-up visit (adjusted odds ratio = 26.15 95% CI: 13.44 to 50.89) were significantly associated with 12-month retention. CONCLUSIONS: HIV syphilis and HBV incidence are high among MSM. Intensified intervention is needed urgently. Widespread screening for HIV syphilis HBV and HCV in this group should be considered as measures for control.