Opt-out and opt-In testing increases syphilis screening of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Australia

Since 2005, Australian clinicians were advised to undertake quarterly syphilis testing for all sexually active HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). We describe differences in syphilis testing frequency among HIV-positive MSM by clinic testing policies since this recommendation.Methods:Three general practices, two sexual health clinics and two hospital HIV outpatient clinics provided data on HIV viral load and syphilis testing from 2006-2010. Men having =1 viral load test per year were included; >95 were MSM. We used Chi-2 tests to assess changes in syphilis testing frequency over time, and differences by clinic testing policy (opt-out, opt-in and risk-based).Results:The proportion of men having HIV viral loads with same-day syphilis tests increased from 37 in 2006 to 63 in 2007 (