1. Prevalence of positive serology for sexually transmitted infections among older adults
- Author
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Gilberto Santos Morais Junior, Yvison Nycollas Candido Pires, Cristhiane Campos Marques, Carla Nunes de Araújo, William Khalil El-Chaer, Ciro Martins Gomes, Clayton Franco Moraes, and Otávio Toledo Nóbrega
- Subjects
sexually transmitted infections ,syphilis ,aged ,public health ,Nursing ,RT1-120 ,Geriatrics ,RC952-954.6 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Objective: To determine the seroreactivity profile for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Epidemiological survey using serological screening tests for reactivity to Treponema pallidum, HIV 1/2, and hepatitis B and C viruses in 495 older individuals (59.9% women) investigated regardless of signs or symptoms of STIs. Results: Reactivity rates for the etiological agents of AIDS and viral hepatitis B and C were compatible with the usual prevalence of these STIs in the Brazilian population. However, there was a very high prevalence of reactivity to syphilis (symptomatic or asymptomatic) in the group, equivalent to approximately 1290 cases per 10 000 older population, which suggests a proportionally greater exposure of older adults to infection with T. pallidum and to the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with STIs. Conclusions: This scenario indicates that adjustments are needed in geriatric centers to consider screening for STIs as an integral part of the routine clinical care of older people.
- Published
- 2024
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