Data from: Prevalence and factors associated with gonorrhea infection with respect to anatomic distributions among men who have sex with men

Introduction: Gonorrhea (GC) infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae has
been steadily increasing in Thailand over the last decade. Men who have
sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for gonorrhea infection. Materials and
methods: In this study, we determined the prevalence of and risk factors
associated with gonococcal infections by three anatomical sites among MSM.
We have conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a sexually transmitted
disease (STD), gonorrhea among MSM attending two STD clinics in Khon Kaen,
Thailand. We included 358 MSM over 18 years of age. Data were collected
using self-administered questionnaire. In each participant, an
oropharyngeal, anorectal, and endourethral swab were tested with culture
and nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). However, 267 urine samples
were tested by both methods. Factors associated with gonorrhea infections
were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
Results: One hundred and ninety-five out of 358 (54.47%) MSM tested were
found to be positive for gonorrhea using a porA gene targeted NAAT by
Real-time PCR with TaqMan probes, but there was no positive result by
culture. The gonorrheal prevalence for male genital site, anal, and
oropharyngeal, were 34.73% (95%CI 33.07, 45.08), 29.01% (95%CI 24.61,
34.33), and 27.93% (95%CI 23.35, 32.89), respectively, while 5.9% (21/355)
were positive for gonococcal infection in all anatomic sites (oropharynx +
anus + urethra) of one participant. Previous history of diagnosed STDs was
a significant factor associated urethral gonorrhea (odds ratio = 3.52,
95%CI 1.87-6.66, P Value< 0.001). In addition, having more than one
partner was increased urethral gonorrhea (adjusted odds ratio = 2.26,
95%CI 1.10-4.68, P Value=0.026). 100% of condom use was found decreasing
urethral infection (adjusted odds ratio = 0.39, 95%CI 0.15-0.99, P
Value=0.046). Conclusions: The most common anatomic site of gonorrhea
infection was male genital site, and the independent risk factors were
having history of diagnosed STDs and having more than one partner in the
past 3 months, but 100% condom use was a protective factor of this
infection.