Factors associated with the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Kisumu

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a great burden to individuals in developing countries, more so among key  populations, like men who have sex with men (MSM), partly attributable to poor health seeking behavior.

Objective: This study investigated the factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in  Kisumu, Kenya.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved abstraction of data from medical records of 737 MSMs, enrolled at the Anza Mapema drop- in center in Kisumu between January and December 2021. Quantitative data was summarized using descriptive statistics and associations  identified using logistic regression model. All analysis was done using SPSS version 23.

Results: A total of 737 MSM were  involved in the study of which, twenty percent (151, 20.5%) had STI symptoms. Painful micturition (91,12.57%) urethral discharge (36,  4.97%) and genital sores (27, 3.73%) were the common STI symptoms. Secondary education (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.3–0.755, P = 0.001), positive HIV status (aOR = 1.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–3.29, P = 0.011), receptive sex (aOR  = 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.322–0.810, P = 0.004), lack of condom use (aOR = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.358–0.864, P =  0.009), and experience of a condom break (aOR = 1.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.115–2.548, P = 0.013) were the significant predictors of  STI symptoms.

Conclusion: In Kisumu, Kenya, a significant proportion of MSM have STI symptoms linked to positive HIV status, secondary  education level, and lack of condom use.