Epidemiology of syphilis and gonorrhoea in eastern Poland in the years 1988-1997

Abstract

Because of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) epidemic in the former Soviet Union and the possibility of a rise in early syphilis and gonorrhoea in the eastern region of Poland it seemed important to calculate the incidence rates for early syphilis and gonorrhoea for 3 border regions (east, west and south) and the central part of the country in the last 10 years. In addition, data were analysed on patients and their sexual partners (from Poland and abroad), and the country where the contact took place obtained from 14 Provincial Skin-VD Out-Patients' Clinics of eastern Poland. The results from 1988/89 and 1996/97 were compared. It was shown that early syphilis morbidity significantly decreased in western and southern Poland, fell in the central part and rose in the east slightly. Gonorrhoea morbidity significantly decreased in all regions. However, the number of provinces with early syphilis and gonorrhoea incidence rates in the 1990s of the same value or higher than in the 1980s, or of the whole of Poland clearly increased in eastern and central regions. The early syphilis and gonorrhoea morbidity in east Poland in the 1990s in relation to 1980s was marked by significant increase in the percentage of the foreigners treated (12.2 vs 1.8, P<0.001 for early syphilis, and 10.0 vs 2.3, P<0.001 for gonorrhoea) and in sexual contacts with foreigners reported by Polish patients (23.7 vs 0.8, P<0.01 for early syphilis and 17.7 vs 4.3, P<0.01 for gonorrhoea). Of the foreign contacts reported in 1996/97 by early syphilis and gonorrhoea patients, 60.4% and 82.2%, respectively, were casual. Contact with foreigners took place, mainly, in the former Soviet Union. The study illustrates that there may be a danger of an increase in the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea in Poland due to the epidemics in the neighbouring countries.

PIP: This study examines the epidemiology of syphilis and gonorrhea in eastern Poland from 1988 to 1997. Data on patients and their sexual partners were obtained from 14 provincial skin-VD outpatient clinics of eastern Poland. The results from 1988-89 and 1996-97 were compared. It was shown that early syphilis morbidity significantly decreased in western and southern Poland, fell in the central part, and rose slightly in the east. Gonorrhea morbidity significantly decreased in all regions. Early syphilis and gonorrhea morbidity in east Poland in the 1990s was marked by a significant increase in the percentage of foreigners treated and in sexual contacts with foreigners reported by Polish patients. Among the foreign contacts reported in 1996-97 by early syphilis and gonorrhea patients, about 60.4% and 82.2%, respectively, were casual. Contact with foreigners took place mainly in the former Soviet Union. This study illustrates that there is a probability of an increase in the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea in Poland due to the epidemics in neighboring countries.