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Menza Score for HIV risk among MSM

4-year HIV acquisition risk to guide PrEP in men who have sex with men.

Menza Score for HIV risk among MSM
Bacterial STI diagnosed (gonorrhoea, chlamydia or syphilis)
Methamphetamine or inhaled nitrite (popper) use in prior 6 months
10 or more male sex partners in prior year
Condomless anal intercourse with HIV-positive or unknown-status partner in prior year
Result0 points

No weighted risk factors identified; routine prevention counselling.

PrEP threshold
Not met

When to use

  • Identifying men who have sex with men at elevated HIV risk who may benefit from PrEP.

Formula

Points: bacterial STI 4; methamphetamine/nitrite use 3 -> weighted 11; >=10 partners 3; condomless anal intercourse with serodiscordant partner 1. Range 0-19; >=1 = high risk.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Derived and validated in an STD-clinic and HIV-prevention-trial cohort; modest discrimination (AUC ~0.67).

References

  1. Menza TW, Hughes JP, Celum CL, Golden MR. Sex Transm Dis. 2009;36(9):547-55.