A Study of Venereal Syphilis in a High Risk Occupational Group (army Recruits)

Abstract

The study has been a combination ot crosssectional and longitudinal methods of investigation, aimed at ascertaining the prevalence and incidence of syphilis in army recruits, a high risk group. The recruits were from a training centre near Nagpur. A high prevalence 12.96% was found among the recniits. The longitudinal study brought forth the first leave period as a dangerous period in the tenure of recruits. A definite association between educational and serological status was found. Higher prevalence was noted among recruits from rural areas. Unmarried recruits were found more liable to this infection than the married ones, during the leave period. The prevalence increased with, the duration of stay of the recruits in the army. The increase was found to be arrested after 24 months of stay after which it stabilized around 12.06%. The prevalence rate obtained has been compared with the ones. obtained by other workers. Significance tests were carried out wherever indicated.