Related Experiment Videos
Syphilis in an urban community
D L Reynolds1, F Evangelista, B M Ward
1Community Medicine Residency, University of Toronto. donna.reynolds@utoronto.ca
Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne De Sante Publique
|September 15, 1998
Summary
Syphilis incidence in Scarborough decreased, but this may reflect reduced testing rather than fewer cases. Immigration screening identified many cases, particularly from the Caribbean and Africa.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recent reports indicated shifts in syphilis epidemiology.
- Syphilis remains a significant public health concern requiring ongoing surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review syphilis epidemiology within the City of Scarborough from 1990 to 1994.
- To identify trends and risk factors associated with syphilis infection in an urban setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of all positive syphilis serology records reported to the City of Scarborough Health Department (1990-1994).
- Analysis of key epidemiological variables including age, sex, and geographic origin.
- Correlation analysis between provincial syphilis incidence and testing rates.
Main Results:
- Infectious syphilis stages were more common in young adults.
- Syphilis incidence increased across successive age groups, with a 1:1 male/female ratio.
- Immigration screening detected 20% of cases, with a notable proportion from the Caribbean, Africa, and Subcontinental India.
- A strong correlation (0.95) was observed between provincial syphilis incidence and the number of tests ordered.
Conclusions:
- The apparent decrease in syphilis incidence may be an artifact of reduced diagnostic testing.
- Immigration screening plays a role in case detection.
- Continued surveillance and testing are crucial for accurate understanding of syphilis trends.