Public health intervention in a cocaine-related syphilis outbreak

Bibliographic Data

ID11029606
AuthorsJonathan R Hibbs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Robert A Gunn (0000-0002-0704-7659)
Year1991
Volume81
Issue10
Pages1259-1262
Publication date1991-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.81.10.1259
PMID1928522
OpenAlexW2135817892
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited11

BACKGROUND. Cocaine users and prostitutes are at high risk for syphilis, but disease control is difficult among these populations. During a cocaine-related syphilis outbreak in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1989, we conducted a control program at sites where sex and drugs were sold. METHODS. During a 2-week period, investigators recruited persons from these sites for interview, serologic testing, and empiric treatment. RESULTS. Among 136 persons screened, 25 (18%) had early syphilis and 26 others (19%) had recent sexual contact with early syphilis patients. All were treated at initial screening at a cost of $402 and 12 investigator hours per case, compared to $470 and 20 hours per case when treated during routine investigator activities. This program may have contributed to a short-term decline in syphilis incidence in Chester by reducing the period of infectivity of these patients. CONCLUSIONS. Screening and empiric treatment of persons at sites where sex and drugs are sold can be useful in short-term control of cocaine-related syphilis outbreaks

Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Incidence (geometry) · Outbreak · Public health · Sexually transmitted disease · Syphilis · Treponematosis · Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Medicine · Nursing · Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment · Virology

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