[Active syphilis infection in homeless people and associated factors]

To identify the personal and sociodemographic factors associated with the syphilis infection in homeless people in Medellin city, 2016.

Quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study. it surveyed 145 homeless people between 18 and 59 years of age. The study included univariate and bivariate analysis, it used the chi square test, the prevalence ratio, confidence intervals of the 95% with level of significance less than 5%.

For the development of the study a survey and a serological test of syphilis were applied to 145 homeless people. The 64,1% were men, the average age was 42 years (de 9,5), the predominant social stratum was low (71%), the syphilis infection in homeless people was 27.6%. the people with greater risk to acquire syphilis infection were: women (IC=1,57-4,57), single people (0,71-2,80), bazuco consumers (IC=0,86-3,06) and people with previous diagnosis of syphilis (IC=1,81-4,68).

In the homeless people there is a higher than expected presence of syphilis. The women, single people, bazuco consumers and people with previous diagnosis of syphilis are the most predisposed individuals to acquire the infection. This situation suggests the need to increase and focus the health promotion actions. It suggests fomenting the induced demand to sexual and reproductive health services with a differential approach of the population, too.