Abstract
Background Syphilis among female sex workers (FSW) remains a public health concern due to its potential impact on their health and the possibility of transmission to their clients, partners, and children. Recent data on the prevalence of syphilis in the population in West Africa are scarce. The objective of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of syphilis serological markers among female sex workers in Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among FSW between February 2013 and May 2014. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methods in five cities of Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, and Tenkodogo). FSW were enrolled and screened for syphilis using a syphilis serological rapid diagnostic test. Data from all cities were analyzed with Stata version 14.0. Results A total of 1045 FSW were screened for syphilis. Participants' mean age was 27.2 ± 0.2 years. The syphilis serological markers were detected in 5.6% (95% CI: 4.4–7.2) of the participants whereas active syphilis was seen in 1.4% (95% CI: 0.9–2.4). RDS weighted prevalence of syphilis serological markers and active syphilis by city were, respectively, estimated to be 0.0% to 11.0% (95% CI: 8.1–14.7) and 0.0% to 2.2% (95% CI: 1.1–4.4). No syphilis markers were found among Ouahigouya FSW. Low education level and high number of clients were factors associated with syphilis markers among the FSW. Conclusion The prevalence of syphilis markers was high during this study among FSW. This highlights the need to reinforce the comprehensive preventive measures and treatment of syphilis in this population.
Highlights
Syphilis among female sex workers (FSW) remains a public health concern due to its potential impact on their health and the possibility of transmission to their clients, partners, and children
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) due to Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacteria belonging to the Spirochaetaceae family [1, 2]. e infection is often asymptomatic but can cause genital ulceration associated with enhanced risk of transmission or acquisition of HIV
A total of 1045 FSW were screened for syphilis in the five study cities: FSW in Ouagadougou, in BoboDioulasso, 115 in Koudougou, 102 in Ouahigouya, and 129 in Tenkodogo
Summary
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) due to Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacteria belonging to the Spirochaetaceae family [1, 2]. e infection is often asymptomatic but can cause genital ulceration associated with enhanced risk of transmission or acquisition of HIV infection [3,4,5,6,7]. A number of studies around the world have reported high prevalence of syphilis among risk groups including. Studies conducted in the 1990s have reported a prevalence of 42.1% in South Africa [15] and 15% in Burkina Faso [16]. Despite this high prevalence in Africa, FSW have limited access to STIs/STDs like syphilis screening and care [17, 18]. E main objective of this study was to determine the serological prevalence and correlates of syphilis with rapid diagnostic testing among FSW in Burkina Faso Recent data on syphilis prevalence in FSW are scarce in West Africa. e main objective of this study was to determine the serological prevalence and correlates of syphilis with rapid diagnostic testing among FSW in Burkina Faso
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