Seroprevalence of syphilis among HIV infected individuals attending the art clinic in Kisugu health centre III, Kampala district.

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections, STIs, are one of the major public health related problems in the most parts of the world. Syphilis is one of the most important STIs, caused by the Spirochete Treponema pallidum. In Uganda, HIV - Syphilis prevalence was (4.3%) among the individuals staying around fishing landing sites (Gershim et al., 2011) but at the ART clinic in Kisugu Health Centre III, there was limited documented data on the seroprevalence of syphilis among HIV infected individuals thus this study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of syphilis among HIV infected individuals for improved clinical management of the patients. Objective: The main objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis among HIV infected individuals attending the ART clinic in Kisugu Health Centre III. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among the HIV infected individuals attending the ART clinic in Kisugu Health Center III. The data was analyzed using STATA version 11.0 and Microsoft excel and presented the findings in pie charts, bar graphs and frequency tables. Results: The overall prevalence of syphilis using TPHA was found to be 9.6% (22/230). The study findings showed that that there was a significant association (p-value 0.034) between those in the age group of (30 – 34 years). The result continued to show that none of the sex was found to be significantly associated with syphilis, similarly, between any level of education and any of the marital status. The result further showed that there was a significant association between those who were rich and being positive with syphilis. It further indicated that those who were rich had an increased risk (Odds ratio 6.195) as compared to the rest of the group according to income levels. The result also found no significant association between religion and syphilis. There was a high level of awareness on HIV and syphilis co-infection. Conclusion: The study findings showed an overall seroprevalence of (9.6%). Syphilis was more prevalent between those in the age group of (30-34 years). Females were more affected by syphilis. There was no significant association between any level of education and syphilis infection and similarly between any of the marital status. Those who were rich had an increased risk (Odds ratio 6.195) of being positive with syphilis. There was a high level of awareness.