Abstract
BackgroundSyphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease affects all ages and both sexes but more prevalent among the sexually active age group of 15–49 years. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis infection among outpatients 15–49 years in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District of Ghana where high levels of infection were earlier reported among antenatal women.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 13 randomly selected health facilities. Blood samples were collected and tested for syphilis infection and a questionnaire administered to determine factors associated with the disease.ResultsA total 277 patients aged 15–49 years participated in the study. The overall prevalence of syphilis infection was 3.2% (9/277), with 5.7% (6/105) and 1.7% (3/172) among males and females respectively. Significant factors associated with syphilis infection included sub-district of residence, (χ2 (4) = 31.20, p < 0.001) and history of coerced sexual intercourse (χ2 (1) =7.49, p = 0.006).ConclusionsThe prevalence of syphilis infection was high among male patients who lived in rural areas. Having a history of coerced sexual intercourse was a strong predictor for syphilis infection. Access to sexually transmitted infection control interventions in rural communities including health education may help control the disease.
Highlights
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
The disease is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is one of the four most common curable sexually transmitted infections
Even though an effective treatment for syphilis has been available since the 1940s, over 10 million people still acquire the disease worldwide every year with more than 90% of these new cases occurring in developing countries [5]
Summary
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease affects all ages and both sexes but more prevalent among the sexually active age group of 15–49 years. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that remains a major global public health problem [1]. The disease is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (a spirochete) and is one of the four most common curable sexually transmitted infections. Syphilis affects all age groups and both sexes, but most prevalent among the most sexually active age group of 15–49 years. It was reported that syphilis prevalence among the general population in Rwanda was 0.9% [1] and 1.8% in Kenya [6]. Other major cities in Ghana have recorded 7.9% (Accra) [10] and 4.5% (Kumasi) [11] prevalence among the general population
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