Serological Survey For Syphilis Among Industrial Workers

Abstract

A serological survey for syphilis among employees of two newly established factories in Aurangabad city was carried out. A coverage of 90.8% of the employees was achieved. Among 1090 workers examined, 29 seropositive cases (2,66%) were detected. Of these, 28 belonged to the age group of 21 to 30 years. No statistically significant difference in the prevalence was noticed in the married and unmarried groups. The seropositivity rates of blood'donors and ante-natal cases, often used for estimation of prevalence of venereal diseases in a community, and the seropositivity rate of industrial workers of Delhi, Poona and Aurangabad for similar period were studied and show divergence. Thus seropositivity rate of newly recruited industrial workers may not be appropriate for estimation of prevalence. However, as this group is particularly vulnerable to causal social factors, the rate may be a good indicator of the incidence of venereal diseases in an area.