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Volume 13
Issue 7
10.3390/pathogens13070559
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Communication

Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

by
Thaís Mayara da Silva Carvalho
1,2,
Paula do Socorro de Oliveira da Costa Laurindo
1,2,
Diogo Oliveira de Araújo
1,2,
Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca
2,
Rogério Valois Laurentino
2,
Jacqueline Cortinhas Monteiro
2,
Rosimar Neris Mantins Feitosa
2,
Fernando Augusto Miranda da Costa
3,
Leonardo Miranda dos Santos
3,
Aldemir Branco Oliveira-Filho
4 and
Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado
1,2,*
1
Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
2
Virology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
3
Bacteriology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
4
Study and Research Group on Vulnerable Populations, Institute for Coastal Studies, Federal University of Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070559
Submission received: 13 May 2024 / Revised: 10 June 2024 / Accepted: 14 June 2024 / Published: 3 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexually Transmitted Pathogens and Associated Infections, Diseases, Syndromes, and Complications)
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Abstract

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health issue, and female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to the etiological agent of this disease. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to Treponema pallidum, as well as the vulnerability factors among FSWs in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 360 FSWs from five cities in Pará was conducted from 2005 to 2007. Blood samples were collected for treponemal and non-treponemal testing, and epidemiological information was obtained through interviews. Results: The exposure rate to T. pallidum was 37.7% (136/360), and the majority of FSWs had serological results indicating past exposure (21.1%). Among the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum, most of them were single, aged 23 to 42 years old, had less than 8 years of schooling, and had a family income of between 1 and 3 minimum wages. They reported using condoms during sexual intercourse and had no history of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Furthermore, many of the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum reported having more than 20 sexual partners per month, and had partners from other Brazilian states, but not from other countries. An age over 42 years and a reduced level of education were factors associated with exposure to T. pallidum. Finally, a high rate of exposure to T. pallidum among FSWs in the Brazilian state of Pará (from 2005 to 2007) was detected. In later years, epidemiological studies conducted with FSWs recorded that this rate remained high. Measures to control, treat, and prevent syphilis among FSWs were necessary between 2005 and 2007, and they are still imperative today. Actions related to educational programs and STI control, treatment, and prevention measures contained in Brazilian policies aimed at women’s health have not changed the vulnerability scenario of FSWs regarding their exposure to T. pallidum, even after 16 years, and must be reviewed and adapted to the conditions of the Brazilian Amazon.
Keywords: Treponema pallidum; sexually transmitted infections; female sex workers; epidemiology; public health Treponema pallidum; sexually transmitted infections; female sex workers; epidemiology; public health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Carvalho, T.M.d.S.; Laurindo, P.d.S.d.O.d.C.; Araújo, D.O.d.; Fonseca, R.R.d.S.; Laurentino, R.V.; Monteiro, J.C.; Feitosa, R.N.M.; Costa, F.A.M.d.; Santos, L.M.d.; Oliveira-Filho, A.B.; et al. Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Pathogens 2024, 13, 559. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070559

AMA Style

Carvalho TMdS, Laurindo PdSdOdC, Araújo DOd, Fonseca RRdS, Laurentino RV, Monteiro JC, Feitosa RNM, Costa FAMd, Santos LMd, Oliveira-Filho AB, et al. Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Pathogens. 2024; 13(7):559. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070559

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carvalho, Thaís Mayara da Silva, Paula do Socorro de Oliveira da Costa Laurindo, Diogo Oliveira de Araújo, Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca, Rogério Valois Laurentino, Jacqueline Cortinhas Monteiro, Rosimar Neris Mantins Feitosa, Fernando Augusto Miranda da Costa, Leonardo Miranda dos Santos, Aldemir Branco Oliveira-Filho, and et al. 2024. "Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon" Pathogens 13, no. 7: 559. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070559

APA Style

Carvalho, T. M. d. S., Laurindo, P. d. S. d. O. d. C., Araújo, D. O. d., Fonseca, R. R. d. S., Laurentino, R. V., Monteiro, J. C., Feitosa, R. N. M., Costa, F. A. M. d., Santos, L. M. d., Oliveira-Filho, A. B., & Machado, L. F. A. (2024). Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Pathogens, 13(7), 559. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070559

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