Ecology of Early Syphilis Patients: A Study of Eighty Cases

Abstract

Eighty early syphilis patients were studied in detail regarding theirage, sourceof infection, occupation, education, marital status, income and previous venereal infection. Incidence of sexually transmitted disease was 27% of which 26.6% cases had early syphilis. Male to female incidence was 10.4:1. In males, 27.4% and 30.2% were in the teenage and young adult (2024 years) groups respectively. Among males 60.3% were unmarried, while 32.8% were married. Widowers and divorcees constituted the rest. Prostitutes and homesexuals were the major sources of infection in 45.2% and 27.4% males respectively. 52% were from low socio-economic class, 26% from middle income group while no patient was from high socioeconomic status. 21.9% were from no income group. 63.2% were labourers, 17.8% unemployed and 4.2% students. 60.5 % were illiterate and 15.3 % cases had other associated sexually transmitted diseases. 32.8% had history of past venereal infection. Among females 4 (57- I%) acquired infection from their husbands: 1 (14.3%) had middle school education, 2 (28.6%) had other associated STD and none had history of past venereal infection.