Sentinel surveillance of syphilis in female sex workers in Nanning city,2007 - 2009

Objective To understand the prevalence of syphilis in female sex workers (FSW) in Nanning. Methods A total of 1179 FSWs were sampled from barbershops, feet-washing rooms, and massage parlors during April-June from 2007 to 2009 to conduct questionnaire survey about their demographic information and condom usage and to take blood samples for syphilis antibody detection. Results The differences on the demographic characteristics, syphilis infection rates, condom usage at each commercial sex and condom usage at the latest commercial sex of FSWs between 3 years were statistical significant.(P0.05). During this period, the syphilis infection rate was 3.2% (12/379) in 2007,6.3% (25/400) in 2008 and 9.8% (39/400) in 2009 (averagely 6.4%), the condom use rate at each commercial sex was 34.6%,57.5% and 51.8% (averagely 48.2%), and the condom use rate at the latest commercial sex was 73.1%,80.8% and 76.0% (averagely 76.7%). Univariate analysis showed that those aged 30 years old, married or cohabiting and those with education level of junior middle school would more likely to be infected with syphilis. Conclusion The condom use rate was low in FSWs in Nanning, and their syphilis infection status varied due to the different demographic characteristics. It is necessary to strengthen the promotion of condom use and exclude influencing factors resulting from the population constituent in the syphilis surveillance to correctly understand the syphilis infection status among FSWs.