Syphilis in drug users in low and middle income countries.
BACKGROUND
Genital ulcer disease (GUD), including syphilis, is an important cause of morbidity in low and middle income (LMI) countries and syphilis transmission is associated with HIV transmission.


METHODS
We conducted a literature review to evaluate syphilis infection among drug users in LMI countries for the period 1995-2007. Countries were categorized using the World Bank Atlas method [The World Bank. (2007). Data and statistics: Country groups. Retrieved online October 18, 2007 at http://go.worldbank.org/D7SN0B8YU0] according to 2006 gross national income per capita.


RESULTS
Thirty-two studies were included (N=13,848 subjects), mostly from Southeast Asia with some from Latin America, Eastern Europe, Central and East Asia, North Africa and the Middle East but none from regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. The median prevalence of overall lifetime syphilis (N=32 studies) was 11.1% (interquartile range: 6.3-15.3%) and of HIV (N=31 studies) was 1.1% (interquartile range: 0.22-5.50%). There was a modest relation (r=0.27) between HIV and syphilis prevalence. Median syphilis prevalence by gender was 4.0% (interquartile range: 3.4-6.6%) among males (N=11 studies) and 19.9% (interquartile range: 11.4-36.0%) among females (N=6 studies). There was a strong relation (r=0.68) between syphilis prevalence and female gender that may be related to female sex work.


CONCLUSIONS
Drug users in LMI countries have a high prevalence of syphilis but data are limited and, in some regions, entirely lacking. Further data are needed, including studies targeting the risks of women. Interventions to promote safer sex, testing, counselling and education, as well as health care worker awareness, should be integrated in harm reduction programs and health care settings to prevent new syphilis infections and reduce HIV transmission among drug users and their partners in LMI countries.
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Lara S
LS
Coffin
Ashley
A
Newberry
Holly
H
Hagan
Charles M
CM
Cleland
Don C
DC
Des Jarlais
David C
DC
Perlman
D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*