Gonorrhea and early syphilis treatment practices among community healthcare providers in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Substantial gaps in reporting gonorrhea treatment and prompt ES treatment were observed. Practice-level interventions to facilitate reporting gonorrhea treatment and provide prompt ES treatment are needed.

Syphilis Diagnosis After a Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or HIV Diagnosis Among Reproductive-Aged Women in Baltimore, MD.

Background: Syphilis incidence is increasing among reproductive-aged women, and previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a risk factor for subsequent STIs. This study aimed to determine syphilis incidence after a chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV diagnosis, and identify characteristics associated with higher syphilis incidence rates among reproductive-aged women in 1 mid-Atlantic city.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 85,113 chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV diagnoses occurring between 2009 and 2021 and among women aged 13 to 50 years was constructed using public health surveillance data.

Characteristics of Reported Gonorrhea Diagnoses During The COVID-19 Pandemic Compared With Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Background: Sexual health service disruptions due to COVID-19 mitigation measures may have decreased gonorrhea screening and biased case-ascertainment toward symptomatic individuals. We assessed changes in reported symptoms and other characteristics among reported gonorrhea cases during pandemic versus prepandemic periods in 1 city with persistent gonorrhea transmission.

Methods: Enhanced surveillance data collected on a random sample of gonorrhea cases reported to the Baltimore City Health Department between March 2018 and September 2021 was used.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Diagnosis After a Syphilis, Gonorrhea, or Repeat Diagnosis Among Males Including non-Men Who Have Sex With Men: What Is the Incidence?

Background: The release of the first drug for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2012 marked the beginning of a new era of HIV prevention. Although PrEP is highly efficacious, identifying and ultimately increasing uptake among the highest risk male subgroups remains a challenge.

Methods: Public health surveillance data from 2009 to 2016 was used to evaluate the risk of an HIV diagnosis after a syphilis (ie, primary, secondary, or early latent), gonorrhea, and repeat diagnoses among urban males, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in Baltimore City.

HIV seroconversion among Baltimore City residents tested at a mobile van programme.

Background: Many individuals with HIV in the USA are unaware of their diagnosis, and therefore cannot be engaged in treatment services, have worse clinical outcomes and are more likely to transmit HIV to others. Mobile van testing may increase HIV testing and diagnosis. Our objective was to characterise risk factors for HIV seroconversion among individuals using mobile van testing.

The network structure of sex partner meeting places reported by HIV-infected MSM: Opportunities for HIV targeted control.

Baltimore, Maryland ranks among U.S. cities with the highest incidence of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Sex Partner Meeting Places Over Time Among Newly HIV-Diagnosed Men Who Have Sex With Men in Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Sex partner meeting places may be important locales to access men who have sex with men (MSM) and implement targeted HIV control strategies. These locales may change over time, but temporal evaluations have not been performed.

Methods: The objectives of this study were to describe the frequency of report of MSM sex partner meeting places over time and to compare frequently reported meeting places in the past 5 years and past year among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Gender-based screening for chlamydial infection and divergent infection trends in men and women.

Objectives: To assess the potential impact of chlamydial screening policy that recommends routine screening of women but not men.

Methods: Population surveys of probability samples of Baltimore adults aged 18 to 35 years in 1997-1998 and 2006-2009 collected biospecimens to estimate trends in undiagnosed chlamydial infection. Survey estimates are compared to surveillance data on diagnosed chlamydial infections reported to the Health Department.

STD coinfection and reinfection following HIV diagnosis: evidence of continued sexual risk behavior.

In 2004, 424 incident cases of HIV were reported to Baltimore City Health Department. Of them, 53 (12.5%) cases were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease following HIV diagnosis.