Comparative Study of the Prevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women and Prospective Blood Donors in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria
A. A. Ibijola
*
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Teaching Hospital , Ido Ekiti/ Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. D. Ajayi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
M. I. Onyema
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. Adebayo
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
M. A. Muhibi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria. f Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
Y. Obazee
Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
A. I. Okunlola
Department of Surgery, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. A. Ajetunmobi
Department of Family Medicine, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
M. Yusuf
Department of Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
C. E. Onyema
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
W. A. Ajetunmobi
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. B. Bolaji
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
E. O. Ogundare
Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University / Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. O. Babatola
Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University / Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
I. O. Adebara
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. T. Adeyemo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. E. Adewara
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
B. S. Awoyinka
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. Bakare
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. A. Adeniyi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. M. Ayankunle
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti / Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. P. Aduloju
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University / Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. S. Adefisan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University / Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
B. A. Olofinbiyi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University / Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Z. A. Jeremiah
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria.
K. A. Fasakin
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria and Department of Medical Laboratory Science, ELIZADE University, Ilaramokin, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Syphilis is a highly contagious, systemic bacterial illness that poses a serious public health threat on a worldwide scale. In addition to being spread sexually, the illness can also be contracted through blood donation. To accurately evaluate the epidemiological pattern and community impact of the disease, this research sought to ascertain the seroprevalence of syphilis among pregnant women and potential blood donors. In Ekiti State, southwest Nigeria, a comparative study was conducted to determine the frequency of syphilis among expectant mothers and potential blood donors.
Materials and Methods: For this comparison research, which was conducted over a 12-month span, 370 potential blood donors and 300 antenatal enrolees were both selected. After getting each participant's full permission, a questionnaire comprising socio-demographic data was given, and 5 ml of whole blood was drawn by venepuncture into an EDTA bottle. Within seconds, plasma was extracted into a clear receptacle using spinning at 2500g for 5 minutes. ELISA-based fast test tools from Diaspot and Lab Acon were used to find Treponema pallidum. Each sample's reactivity to the two test instruments was read as a positive result, while each sample's lack of reactivity was interpreted as a negative result.
Results: Syphilis seroprevalence among expectant mothers was 2.0% and 0% among female blood donors. Male blood donors had a syphilis seroprevalence of 2.1%, which was comparable to the seroprevalence of 2.0% observed in expectant women.
Conclusion: The screening of potential blood donors and pregnant women for syphilis must be required, available, and cheap as this will improve early detection of the disease for proper therapy. There is a significant correlation between syphilis infection and pregnancy and blood donors.
Keywords: Seroprevalence, pregnancy, blood donors, syphilis