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Table 2 Behavioral characteristics and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among the HIV-negative high-risk MSM that participated in the cross-sectional study.

From: Seroprevalence and factors associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 among HIV-negative high-risk men who have sex with men from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Characteristic Number* (%)
Sexual orientation  
Homosexual 181 (45.5)
Bisexual 217 (54.5)
Age at first sexual intercourse  
< 12 82 (20.7)
12–15 190 (48.0)
16–18 90 (22.7)
> 18 34 (8.6)
Age at first sexual intercourse with man  
< 12 33 (13.3)
12–15 76 (30.5)
16–18 83 (33.3)
> 18 57 (22.9)
Age at first sexual intercourse with woman  
< 12 16 (6.3)
12–15 120 (47.2)
16–18 87 (34.3)
> 18 31 (12.2)
First sexual intercourse with  
Man 96 (23.8)
Woman 307 (76.2)
Exchange of sex for money  
Never 228 (56.6)
Sometimes 175 (43.4)
Sex with a woman  
Never 140 (34.7)
Sometimes 263 (65.3)
Sex with a woman in the past 6 months  
Yes 101/403 (25.1)
Occasional male partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 267/403 (66.3)
Stable male partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 228/403 (56.6)
Unprotected anal sex with stable male partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 136/403 (33.7)
Unprotected anal sex with occasional male partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 222/403 (55.1)
Unprotected vaginal sex with stable female partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 71/388 (18.3)
Unprotected anal sex with stable female partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 34/390 (8.7)
Unprotected vaginal sex with occasional female partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 51/390 (13.1)
Unprotected anal sex with occasional female partner in the past 6 months  
Yes 36/389 (9.3)
Alcohol use during sexual encounter in the past 6 months  
Yes 202/382 (52.9)
Cocaine use during sexual encounter in the past 6 months  
Yes 41/362 (11.3)
Herpes simplex virus type 2  
Yes 184/403 (45.7)
Active syphilis**  
Yes 31/403 (7.7)
Positive serology for syphilis**  
Yes 140/403 (34.7)
Positive serology for Hepatitis B***  
Yes 134/403 (33.3)
  1. * Totals by characteristic vary because of missing values. Totals are given next to the number for "No/Yes" dichotomous variables.
  2. ** Active syphilis implies that the antibody titer with the VDRL test was ≥ 1/8 and the TPHA was positive, while positive serology for syphilis implies that the VDRL test was not reactive or < 1/8 and TPHA was positive.
  3. *** Positive serology for hepatitis B was assessed by the detection of antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBC) indicating previous infection.
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BMC Infectious Diseases

ISSN: 1471-2334

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