P5-S6.07 The management of syphilis and gonococcal infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a community medical center named “Centre Oasis, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso”

Abstract

Background: "Centre Oasis" is a community medical center of anNGO named "Association African Soildarite" (AAS). It provides to MSM a framework for management and prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS. The review of theNGOactivities in the first half of 2010 showed high rates of syphilis and gonococcal infections, 21% and 17%. A special care of these infections has been established with the help of international and national partners in order to face this problem. Method(s): An active search for cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea among MSM who come in the center have made after obtaining their consent. They also answered a questionnaire. The search for gonococcie was by electron microscope on urethral and/or anal and/ or buccal swabs. The syphilis infection was diagnosed by two tests recommended by WHO (VDRL and TPHA). The MSM who were positive for syphilis received antibiotics based Benzathine Penicillin (2.4 million IU intramuscular) and those who were positive for gonorrhoea received 400 mg of Cefixime. Doxycycline (100 mg32 daily orally for 14 days) was given as an adjuvant therapy to treat a possible Chlamydia infection. The partner (s) of the positive subjects were also treated. Result(s): Five months after the implementation of the program, we found prevalences of 12.2% for syphilis and 9.8% for gonorrhoea for a total of 316 consultations. In 71.1% of case the MSM had several sexual partners, 57% had used condoms during their last intercourse, 42% used lubricants (gels). 67.1% of MSM were bisexuals. All screened patients had received antibiotic treatment according to the protocols described above. 78% of identified partners had also benefited from antibiotic treatments in the medical center. Conclusion The MSM community in Ouagadougou is highly vulnerable given the high rates of syphilis and gonorrhoea. Such programs help to fight against STDs and HIV/AIDS but are not sufficient when we know the condition of the homosexual in African countries. It is time for national health policies to fight against STIs and HIV to take more account of the population of MSM.