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Journal of Community Health
Published in: Journal of Community Health 1/2021

01-02-2021 | Syphilis | Original Paper

An Investigation of Early Syphilis Among Men Who have Sex with Men: Alaska, 2018: Findings from a 2018 Rapid Ethnographic Assessment

Authors: Penny S. Loosier, Monique Carry, Amy Fasula, Kendra Hatfield-Timajchy, Susan A. Jones, Jessica Harvill, Tracy Smith, Joseph McLaughlin

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

The state of Alaska had a sharp increase in cases of primary and secondary syphilis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in 2018, centered in Anchorage. A rapid ethnographic assessment was conducted in October 2018 to examine contextual factors contributing to local increases in syphilis. The assessment team conducted qualitative interviews with 64 (N=49 interviews) key informants in Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Valley identified through the STD/HIV program at the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health (ADPH):  ADPH staff (n = 11; 22%) Medical Providers (n = 18; 37%), Community-Based Organizations/Partners (n = 9; 18%), and GBMSM Community Members (n = 11; 22%). This project was deemed exempt from IRB review. Primary factors affecting syphilis transmission, care, and treatment among GBMSM were: (1) Low awareness about the current syphilis outbreak and ambivalence about syphilis and other STIs; (2) Aspects of sexual partnering such as travel, tourism, and the use of online sites and apps to facilitate anonymous sex and multiple (both sequential/concurrent) partnering; (3) The synergistic effects of substance use, homelessness, and transactional sex; (4) Choosing condomless sex; and (5) Challenges accessing healthcare, including the ability to find appropriate and culturally competent care. Syphilis increases may have been influenced by factors which spanned multiple sectors of the Anchorage community, including individual behavior, community-level risk and protective factors, and use of and interactions with resources offered by ADPH, community-based organizations, and medical providers.
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Metadata
Title
An Investigation of Early Syphilis Among Men Who have Sex with Men: Alaska, 2018: Findings from a 2018 Rapid Ethnographic Assessment
Authors
Penny S. Loosier
Monique Carry
Amy Fasula
Kendra Hatfield-Timajchy
Susan A. Jones
Jessica Harvill
Tracy Smith
Joseph McLaughlin
Publication date
01-02-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Community Health / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00834-8

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