FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SYPHILIS INFECTION AMONG OUTPATIENTS IN ASIKUMA ODOBEN BRAKWA DISTRICT

ABSTRACT 

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection which is still a global public health concern. It affects both sexes and all ages but mostly prevalent among the sexually active age group (15-49 years). It results in diverse complications and also promote the contraction of other sexually transmitted infection including the potential of increasing the risk of contracting HIV / AIDs by two to five folds. Its prevalence in developed countries is far lower compared to developing counties. The HIV / AIDs Sentinel Survey indicated that Asikuma Odoben Brakwa district in the Central region has consistently recorded the highest prevalence in the country. 

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis infection among outpatients 15-49 years in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa district. 

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used in thirteen (13) randomly selected health facilities. Two hundred and seventy-seven (277) patients aged 15-49 years presenting at the Outpatient Departments were enrolled into the study. Blood samples were taken and tested for syphilis infection and a questionnaire was administered to determine the factors associated with the disease. Data were analyzed with Stata version 14. 

Results: The overall prevalence of syphilis 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 include subdistrict of residence, (X2 (4) = 31.20, pp=O.003), and having more than one sex partner within the past year (X2 (2) = 8.54, p