Syphilis infection among different population groups in Zhuhai,Guangdong province

Objective To understand syphilis infections among different population groups in Zhuhai by using serological testing,and provide evidence for prevention of syphilis infections.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and toluidine red unheated serum test(TRUST) were used to detect syphilis infections among different population groups including drug users,sex workers,migrant workers and voluntary blood donors.Results The positive rates of syphilis antibody among drug users,sex workers,migrant workers and voluntary blood donors were 9.20%,0.98%,0.89% and 0.52%,respectively;and the infection rates among them were 4.29%,0.65%,0.66% and 0.24%,respectively.Syphilis infections in drug users were significantly higher than in other groups.Latent infection was the major pattern in the above groups.Conclusion Various specific interventions should be adopted for different population groups to prevent and control syphilis infections in Zhuhai.And health education should be strengthened to raise people's syphilis related knowledge and their awareness of self protection so as to prevent syphilis to be transmitted from drug users to sex workers or their clients,and then to family members.