Intensive Screening for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in a Gay Bathhouse Does Not Lower the Prevalence of Infection

Abstract

An attempt was made to reduce the rate of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae among homosexual men who visit a bathhouse in Denver, Colorado [USA], by the offer of screening cultures during the 24 h/wk of maximal use of the bathhouse. Men (543) were screened in 646 tests. The rate of infection did not decline significantly (P > 0.80) from the 1st mo. (31 of 272 men; 11.4%) to the 3rd mo. (19 of 180 men; 10.6%) of the program. Early syphilis was detected in 5 (0.8%) of 606 men and hepatitis B surface antigen in 13 (3.3%) of 389 men tested. Serologic evidence of prior infection with Treponema pallidum and hepatitis B virus was found in 96 (19.3%) of 498 and 226 (58.1%) of 389 men tested, respectively. Patrons of a gay bathhouse have a high risk of contracting gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis B. Although intensive screening is a cost-effective method of detecting cases of gonorrhea, the screening program did not reduce the prevalence of infection.