Indian Journal of Dermatology (Jan 1997)
Epidemiology Of Genital Ulcers And Prevalence Of Seropositivity For Syphilis
Abstract
The study assesses the prevalence of seropositivity for syphilis amongst cases presenting with genital ulcer to STD Clinic, Medical College, Calcutta during July 1994 to January 1995, and their epidemiological characteristics. Of the 157 cases studied, 142 (90.9%) were males and 15 (9.1%) were females. Prevalence of seropositivity for syphilis was in 22.93% cases of genital ulcers. In the age distribution of males, 9% were below 21 years, 33.8% between 21-25 years and 23.9% between 26-30 years. In females, the highest proportion (33.3%) was in the age range 16-20 years. While all the female patients were Hindus, 87.3% of males were Hindus and 12.7% were Muslims. Large Majority (70%) of the cases were literate. Amongst male patients, unskilled labourers constituted the highest proportion (35.2%), and majority in females (53.3%) were from middle income group and 16.6% from high income group. 90.1% of males were unmarried single against 87.9% in females. The type of family for both male and female patients was overwhelmingly nuclear (86.6% to 87.3%) and 2.8% of the males and 13.3% of the females were orphans. Amongst the seropositive patients, primary syphilis was present in 71.4% males and 62.5% females and the figures for secondary syphilis were 28.6% in males and 30.6% in females, 42% males and 26.7% females had knowledge about source of infection. While 85.9% males got infection from prostitutes, 66.7% females got it from clients. In females, 20% had been infected by friends and neighbours and 13.3% by casual contact.