Epidemiology of syphilis in Hungary between 1952 and 1996

[Congenital syphilis]

Syphilis has been a re-emerging disease in the past few decades. As a consequence, the prevalence of congenital syphilis is expected to be on the rise. Maternal syphilis may be related to several pathologies, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital syphilis in the child. Infants that acquire syphilis in utero are frequently asymptomatic, and the organ damage caused by the infection may be apparent only years later. Syphilis is a curable disease, and most of its complications in the infant can be prevented by screening and treating the mother. Every newborn potentially infected should be treated with penicillin immediately starting on the day of birth.

Syphilis epidemic in Slovenia influenced by syphilis epidemic in the Russian Federation and other newly independent states

In 1994 an 18-fold increase in the annually reported incidence rate of early syphilis (to 1.81 cases per 100,000 total population) in comparison to the preceding year was observed in Slovenia. The reported incidence rates remained elevated for a period of five years. The possible link between the evolving syphilis epidemic in the Russian Federation and newly independent States (NIS) during the 1990s and the observed increases in the reported early syphilis incidence rates in Slovenia, was explored. Surveillance data obtained by mandatory reporting of all newly diagnosed syphilis cases between 1994 and 1999 were analysed according to the information on sexual partners, the country of probable source of infection, and occupation. More than half of all reported cases (62%) were directly or indirectly linked to a source of infection abroad. Among these, the majority of cases (73%) were linked to the Russian Federation or NIS. Of these, 68% occurred in males, a high proportion being long-distance lorry drivers.

Sexual activity and condom use among Eastern European adolescents--the Study of Hungarian Adolescent Risk Behaviours

While rates of HIV and STD infection in Eastern Europe are increasing rapidly, little is known about sexual behaviour, including condom use, among Eastern European youths. The Study of Hungarian Adolescent Risk Behaviours was designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of adolescents studying in secondary schools in Budapest, Hungary. Students (n =3486) in a random sample of public secondary schools completed a self-administered questionnaire, including measures of sexual activity and condom use. Thirty-eight percent of students reported ever having had vaginal intercourse. Condom use by those reporting having had sex in the past five weeks was classified as consistent/every time (40%); irregular (25.6%); and none (34.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed positive opinions about condoms, fear of AIDS, and initiation of condom use by both partners to predict more frequent condom use. Implications for targeted AIDS/STD education and prevention among adolescents are discussed.

Sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health in Azerbaijan

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and about sexual and reproductive health in Central and Eastern Europe. However, it is clear that major epidemics of STIs currently exist.

GOAL

To provide baseline information for the development of national guidelines on the management of STIs in Azerbaijan.

STUDY DESIGN

A prevalence study on STIs, including a questionnaire on sexual and reproductive health, in two regions of Azerbaijan targeted three groups: (1) pregnant women, (2) gynecology patients, and (3) men attending a dermatovenereology clinic.

RESULTS

The 407 pregnant women in this study had a mean of 1.47 abortions and 1.40 births per woman. Of these women, 12% reported condom use and 41% previous symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection. Active syphilis was found in 1.7% of the women. The 326 gynecology patients had a mean of 2.54 abortions and 2.63 births per woman. Of these patients, 11% reported use of modern contraceptives, 18.3% previous condom use, and 63% previous symptoms of an STI. The prevalence of active syphilis was 2.2%, Chlamydia trachomatis 3.1%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2.8%, Trichomonas vaginalis 7.1%, Candida 33.1%, and bacterial vaginosis 32.5%. Of the 197 male patients, 67% reported multiple partners in the past 3 months, 62% money exchanged for sex, 37% condom use ever, and 40% a history of STIs. Active syphilis was found in 9.5% of the men, C trachomatis in 5.9%, N gonorrhoeae in 17%, and T vaginalis in 4.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The data show high-risk behavior in the men attending STI clinics, poor sexual and reproductive health status in the women, and underreporting of official data.