Syphilis prevalence among women in the prison system of a northeastern Brazilian capital

• Main Authors: Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo, Augusto Cezar Antunes de Araujo Filho, Karla Vivianne Araújo Feitosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Goias 2015-12-01
• Series: Revista Eletrônica de Enfermagem
• Subjects: Sífilis; Prisões; Mulheres; Enfermagem em Saúde Comunitária
• Online Access: http://revistas.ufg.emnuvens.com.br/fen/article/view/28898

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in inmates of the women's prison of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2013. The population consisted of inmates from the referred penitentiary (n=131). Data were collected through a form composed of closed-ended and mixed questions. The mean age was 33.1 years, 60.3% affirmed not having a stable relationship, and 93.1% had children. Alcohol use was reported by 70.8%, and the use of illicit drugs, by 56.2%. It was evidenced that 38.5% of women never use a condom during sexual intercourse, and that 62.2% do not know how the transmission of syphilis happens. The high prevalence of syphilis, 25.2%, is statistically associated with marital status, illicit drug use and their consumption before sex, demonstrating that unfavorable socioeconomic conditions are important risk and vulnerability factors to sexually transmitted diseases.