Correlates of syphilis in men and women in Zambia
Emma Slaymaker, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Helene Voeten, University of Rotterdam
This analysis aimed to identify correlates of syphilis sero-status among men, women and cohabiting couples in the 2001 Zambian Demographic and Health Survey which included syphilis testing. Socio-demographic, behavioural and mobility characteristics were analysed for association with syphilis sero-positivity for all men, all women and the male and the female partner in matched cohabiting couples. Sero-positive men were more likely to report having >1 partner in the last year and to be divorced. For women, marriage and sex with a partner known for <1 month increased the odds of infection. There were marked regional differences in syphilis status. For both male and female partners in couples there were individual correlates of syphilis sero-status that acted independently of the partner’s sero-status and the partner’s duration of residence was also important. After modelling the geographical variations in syphilis prevalence behavioural and mobility correlates of syphilis sero-status remained significant.
Presented in Poster Session 1