BACKGROUND: Syphilis transmission in Atlanta is ongoing despite declining incidence. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors and missed opportunities for prevention. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study design was used. Twenty-five sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic patients with primary or secondary syphilis by polymerase chain reaction and serology and 49 matched controls were interviewed. RESULTS: Persons with syphilis more frequently had HIV infection (24% versus 2%; P = 0.005), crack-using sex partners (52% versus 18%; odds ratio [OR] = 5.1; 95% CI = 1.7-15.5), and a history of incarceration (80% versus 57%; OR = 3.0; CI = 1.0-9.3). Many cases (48%) and controls (31%) had received drug-abuse treatment. Only 40% of previously incarcerated patients and 74% of those with a history of drug treatment reported receiving STD/HIV education in those settings. Among all patients reporting recent HIV education, 41% were told about STD recognition and treatment. Unprotected sex and delay in seeking care were common. CONCLUSION: To prevent syphilis and associated HIV, more extensive STD education is needed in jails and drug-treatment centers.
BACKGROUND: Syphilis transmission in Atlanta is ongoing despite declining incidence. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors and missed opportunities for prevention. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study design was used. Twenty-five sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic patients with primary or secondary syphilis by polymerase chain reaction and serology and 49 matched controls were interviewed. RESULTS:Persons with syphilis more frequently had HIV infection (24% versus 2%; P = 0.005), crack-using sex partners (52% versus 18%; odds ratio [OR] = 5.1; 95% CI = 1.7-15.5), and a history of incarceration (80% versus 57%; OR = 3.0; CI = 1.0-9.3). Many cases (48%) and controls (31%) had received drug-abuse treatment. Only 40% of previously incarcerated patients and 74% of those with a history of drug treatment reported receiving STD/HIV education in those settings. Among all patients reporting recent HIV education, 41% were told about STD recognition and treatment. Unprotected sex and delay in seeking care were common. CONCLUSION: To prevent syphilis and associated HIV, more extensive STD education is needed in jails and drug-treatment centers.
Authors: Lisa R Metsch; Margaret Pereyra; Carlos del Rio; Lytt Gardner; Wayne A Duffus; Gordon Dickinson; Peter Kerndt; Pamela Anderson-Mahoney; Steffanie A Strathdee; Alan E Greenberg Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Catherine G Sutcliffe; Apinun Aramrattana; Susan G Sherman; Bangorn Sirirojn; Danielle German; Kanlaya Wongworapat; Vu Minh Quan; Rassamee Keawvichit; David D Celentano Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Nicholas Thomson; Catherine G Sutcliffe; Bangorn Sirirojn; Rassamee Keawvichit; Kanlaya Wongworapat; Kamolrawee Sintupat; Apinun Aramrattana; David D Celentano Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2008-10-15 Impact factor: 9.308