Characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of syphilis attending the central sexually transmittd diseases Clinic, Colombo

Abstract

The study consisted of two components, a descriptive cross sectional study and a retrospective record based study. Descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at the Central STD clinic Colombo among 150 newly registered male and female patients with a diagnosis of syphilis. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socio- demographic and behavioral characteristics and knowledge of STls. In the retrospective record based study, 463 patient records were analyzed. Health education programmes should provide More attention on clinical features, the asymptomatic nature and complications of STLs . As sensitivity of VDRL test was very low in late latent syphilis, alternative methods should be explored to screen syphilis. The drug of choice for treating syphilis is penicillin and every possible step should be taken to prevent unnecessary restrictions on use of penicillin. Proper Set of indications should be identified to use non penicillin treatment regimens