Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Syphilis is a matter of concern for the reason of transmissibility and high magnitude. In the world there is an estimate that there are 357 million new Sexually Transmitted Infections each year, with a high incidence of syphilis with 5.6 million cases. The infection can affect all age groups and both sexes, presenting higher prevalence in populations of greater vulnerability as female sex workers. Therefore, the main goal was to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in female sex workers.
Methods Analytical cross-sectional study, part of a macroproject entitled ”Outpatient follow-up of HIV and Syphilis in female sex workers”, conducted in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, with 358 female sex workers, developed since August/2016, in follow-up. Approved by a Research Ethics Committee. Participants were recruited by the Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) method and the data collected by structured form.
Results Of the total number of participants (n=358), the prevalence of syphilis was 7.5%. Statistical significance was obtained in relation to skin colour (CI 40.84–51.16, p≤0.001). Age ranged from 18 to 59 years old, and the prevalence was higher in women aged 25 to 39 (14/3.9% CI 56.99–67.01), from Teresina (23/With no partner (26/7.2%, CI 92.26–96.94), with less than eight years of education at school (19.5% and 5.4%, CI 73.07–81.73). IC 63.38–73.02), catholic (19/5.3%, IC 75.97–84.23), income less than 1 minimum national wage (14/3.9%, CI 39.85–50, 15) and acting in pubs (14/3.9%, IC 45.63–55.97).
Conclusion High prevalence of syphilis among the younger sex workers, unmarried, catholic, impoverished, poorly schooled and working indoors. It is necessary to reinforce intervention measures, focusing on health education, in order to reduce the chain of transmission and safer sexual practices.