Seroprevalence of Syphilis Infection in Individuals at Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana
Nti-Boakye A. Faustina
Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Kwabena Dankwa
Department of Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Charles Ampiah
Central Regional Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Johnson Nyarko Boampong
Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Samuel V. Nuvor
Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana and Central Regional Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The disease becomes very common among individuals with multiple sexual partners without protection.
Aim: This research aimed at assessing the prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast Metropolis and the factors associated with the transmission of the disease
Methodology: 200 participants from Cape Coast were sampled and assessed for syphilis infection using Venereal Disease Research Laboratory syphilis test strips (a nontreponemal test) and positive samples were confirmed with Treponema palladium haemagglutination (TPHA) test. Questionnaires, reflecting the participant’s sociodemographic data were also administered. The results were analysed, to assess the relationship between various risk factors and syphilis infection.
Results: The prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast was found to be 8.5%, mainly associated with participants having multiple sexual partners and having unprotected and indiscriminate sex. Other factors found to be indirectly affecting the rate of infection were illiteracy, lack of knowledge and information concerning the disease.
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of syphilis infection in the Cape Coast Metropolis is an indication that the disease is endemic.
Keywords: Syphilis, seroprevalence, infection, Treponema palladium, participants.