High prevalence of syphilis in a female prison unit in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence of syphilis and the associated risk factors in a female prison unit. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 113 women whom data were collected in two stages: first, blood test to check for syphilis seropositivity; and then collection of information through a form to assess risk situations for sexually transmitted infections. Results Overall, syphilis prevalence was found to be 22.1% among the female prison population (n=25) and 28.6% among pregnant women. A statistically significant relationship was found between syphilis infection and previous history of sexually transmitted infections (p=0.04). However, most participants diagnosed with the disease were unaware of a history of sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months (n=20/80.0%). The use of condom with fixed partners was considered to be a protective factor (odds ratio of 0.76; 95% of confidence interval 0.68-0.85). Conclusion The prevalence of syphilis among the female prison population was high, particularly among pregnant women. Preventive and therapeutic measures as well as appropriate prenatal care can minimize the impact of syphilis in prison systems and, consequently, improve such health outcomes nationwide.

摘要
研究目的：明确女性羁押单元内梅毒的流行率及其相关危险因素。
方法：本研究为横断面研究，共纳入113名女性受试者，分两阶段采集数据：首先通过血液检测筛查梅毒血清学阳性情况；随后通过调查问卷收集信息，以评估性传播感染（Sexually Transmitted Infections，STIs）相关风险暴露情形。
结果：整体而言，女性羁押人群的梅毒流行率为22.1%（n=25），其中孕妇群体的流行率达28.6%。研究发现梅毒感染与既往性传播感染史存在统计学显著性关联（p=0.04）。然而，多数确诊梅毒的受试者自述，过去12个月内并无明确的性传播感染病史（n=20/80.0%）。与固定性伴侣使用安全套被视为保护性因素（比值比为0.76；95%置信区间0.68~0.85）。
结论：女性羁押人群的梅毒流行率较高，孕妇群体尤为突出。采取预防与治疗措施，并规范开展产前保健，可最大限度降低梅毒在羁押系统中的传播影响，进而改善全国范围内的此类健康结局。