Journal of Biomedical Advancement Scientific Research

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is a current systemic disease of public health concern. In 2022, global estimates of syphilis cases reached 700,000 with widespread consequences including 150,000 perinatal deaths and 70,000 neonatal deaths. Compared to global research, little has been done to assess and synthesize the disease trends within high-risk categories in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. This cross-sectional survey evaluated the seroprevalence of syphilis and its coinfections with HIV, HBV, and HCV among blood drive donors from selected Senior High Schools (SHSs) within the Tamale metropolis who form a sexually active risk group. The study included 119 donors between 17 and 25 years who consented and met eligibility criteria of the National Blood Service, Ghana. 5 ml of each donor’s blood sample was aliquoted into an EDTA-coated test tube and centrifuged after which the serum obtained was screened for syphilis, HIV, HBV and HCV using the respective Fortress Diagnostics ELISA test kit. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 26. Figures were constructed with GraphPad Prism 10. A seroprevalence of 4.2 % was obtained for syphilis among subjects. Of all syphilis positive cases, 20 % had a coinfection with HIV suggesting that syphilis may facilitate the transmission of HIV. Syphilis was the most predominant infection among subjects compared to HIV, HBV, and HCV. There was a significant gender disparity in the trend of infection with more males testing positive for syphilis than females, suggesting that males are at a higher risk of contracting STIs. Our data underscores the need to target second cycle institutions for public health interventions as these infections are circulating among youngsters in SHSs and are at high risk of syphilis infection.