Factors associated with syphilis infection: a cross-sectional survey among outpatients in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District, Ghana

Abstract

Background 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. 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. Methods A 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. Results A 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, (χ 2 (4) = 31.20, p < 0.001) and history of coerced sexual intercourse (χ 2 (1) =7.49, p = 0.006). Conclusions The 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. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-3967-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence and risk factors of Syphilis among blood donors of Punjab, Pakistan

“…Among the risk factors, marital status [P= 0.012; OR= 2.251 (95% CI= 1.206-4.202)] and blood transfusion [P= 0.030; OR= 1.981 (95% CI= 1.083-3.623)] are statistically associated with syphilis among blood donors. These findings also resemble with the results of (Arshad et al, 2016;Halakoto et al, 2017;Banong-le et al, 2019). The culture and norms of not screening the partners for sexually transmitted diseases before marriage leads to transmission of these diseases including syphilis to the married couples.…”

Social and individual vulnerability factors associated with syphilis among populations living on islands in the Brazilian Amazon

“…The number of partners and age were not factors associated with syphilis among people in rural areas of Ghana. In this population, significant factors associated with syphilis infection included sub-district of residence, and history of coerced sexual intercourse [ 29 ].…”

Knowledge and prevalence of common sexually transmitted infections among patients seeking care at selected health facilities in Southern Ghana

“…Further analysis of the cohort used in this study, indicated that gonorrhea, chlamydial, and syphilis infections account for 11.24%, 10.11% and 7.30% of the cases, respectively. Banong-le et al [ 23 ] found the prevalence of syphilis infection among symptomatic patients in a study conducted in Ghana to be 3.2%. This is lower than this study findings (7.30%) [ 23 ].…”

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