Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Feb 21;17(1):219.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4134-x.

Prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers and their clients in Togo in 2011

Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko  1 , Dadja Essoya Landoh  2 , Bayaki Saka  3 , Koffi Akolly  4 , Yao Layibo  4 , Issifou Yaya  5 , Dodji Gbetoglo  6 , Abiba Kere Banla  4 , Palokinam Pitché  3   7
Affiliations

Prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers and their clients in Togo in 2011

Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: During the last ten years, a resurgence of syphilis has occurred in many countries worldwide, including Togo. Previous studies have shown a wide range of syphilis infection among the female sex workers (FSWs), from 1.5 to 42.1%. In Togo, Key populations, including FSWs, are rarely involved in the sentinel surveillance programs to determine the prevalence of HIV and syphilis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients in Togo.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in December 2011 targeting FSWs and their clients in Togo. Among participant who consented, we collected blood samples for syphilis and HIV testing.

Results: In total, 1,836 participants (1,106 FSWs and 730 clients) were included in the survey. Their mean age was 28.6 ± 9 years. The prevalence of syphilis was 2.2% (2.2% among FSWs compare to 2.3% among their clients, p = 0.82). This prevalence was higher among FSWs over 30 years old compare to those less than 30 years old (Odd Ratio (OR) =5.03; 95% CI [1.95-13.49]). Single FSWs were three times less likely to have syphilis than those living in couple or married (OR = 3.11; CI 95% [1.16-8.83]). Brothel based or declared FSWs were 4 times more likely to be infected by syphilis than secret ones (OR = 3.89; CI 95% [1.60-9.54]). Out of the 1,836 participants of the survey, 165 (8.9%) were HIV positive. Having syphilis was associated with HIV infection (OR = 3.41; IC 95% [1.53-7.41]).

Conclusion: This study showed that: i) the prevalence of syphilis among FSWs and their clients was high; ii) syphilis was significantly associated with HIV infection. It is necessary to increase awareness campaigns and emphasize on condom use among this key population group.

Keywords: Clients; Female sex workers; HIV; Syphilis; Togo.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Amelot F, Picot E, Meusy A, Rousseau C, Brun M, Guillot B. [Syphilis in Montpellier, France, from 2002 to 2011: survey in a free hospital screening centre for venereal disease and in the dermatology unit of a regional public hospital] Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2015;142(12):742–750. doi: 10.1016/j.annder.2015.07.008. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Muldoon E, Mulcahy F. Syphilis resurgence in Dublin, Ireland. Int J STD AIDS. 2011;22(9):493–497. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2011.010438. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Shah BJ, Karia DR, Pawara CL. Syphilis: is it making resurgence? Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2015;36(2):178–181. doi: 10.4103/0253-7184.167170. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Conseil National de Lutte contre le Sida et le IST Togo . Plan stratégique national de lutte contre le Sida et les infections sexuellement transmissibles 2012–2015. Lomé: CNLS/IST-Togo; 2012.
    1. Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) L’élimination mondiale de la syphilis congénitale : raison d’être et stratégie. Genève: OMS; 2009. p. 48.