AWARENESS OF SYPHILIS INFECTION AND SYPHILIS-RELATED FACTORS AMONG ADULT RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF SRI LANKA: GENDER DIFFERENCE AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Syphilis is one of common sexually transmitted infections that its prevalence and trend has been increasing globally. Awareness of syphilis infection and its related factors is important for disease prevention and adverse events are more impact on mother-to-child transmission if infection occurred in females. To assess the gender difference in awareness of syphilis infection and syphilis-related factors among adults living in the Southern province of Sri Lanka and explore the associated factors with the awareness. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult residents aged 18 years or older from three districts using self-administrated questionnaire. Levels of awareness and the associated factors were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariable regression model. Among 504 residents, prevalence of high awareness of syphilis infection and syphilis-related factors was 41.4% (60.8% in female vs 39.2% in male, p <0.001) and 34.9% (51.1% in female vs 48.9% in male, p 0.779), respectively. High awareness of syphilis infection was less likely to be in males than females after adjusting with other significant factors. Age, marital status, and occupation were independently associated with awareness of syphilis infection. No significance of gender difference in awareness of syphilis-related factors was found. High knowledge significantly increased odds of high awareness of syphilis infection and related factors. Awareness of syphilis infection, rather than specific risk factors, varied significantly by gender and influenced by age, marital status, occupation and knowledge. These findings identify priority groups for targeted strategies to improve prevention and control and importance of knowledge.