Prevalence and risk factors of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection at a university hospital in Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2018 Nov-Dec;51(6):813-818. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0097-2018.

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of syphilis has increased since the 1970s.

Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample.

Results: Of 973 patients with human immunodeficiency virus, 179 (18.4%) tested positive for both human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis, 84.8% were men, 50.9% were aged between 36 and 50 years, 47.8% with syphilis were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus for 10-20 years, and 40.3% received antiretroviral therapy for 10-20 years.

Conclusions: The prevalence of syphilis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus is higher than expected, making it urgent to adopt efficient public health measures.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Coinfection
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Syphilis / diagnosis
  • Syphilis / epidemiology*
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult