Short report
High prevalence of syphilis among demobilized child soldiers in Eastern Congo: a cross-sectional study
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* Corresponding author: Prosper M Lutala jolutprosper@yahoo.fr
1 Appui Médical Intégré Aux Activités de Laboratoire (AMI-LABO), 68 Golf Avenue, Goma, Boite postale 187, Congo and Département des Sciences de base, Université de Goma, 2 Avenue Himbi, Goma, Boite postale 204, Congo
2 United Nations Volunteers, Central-East Zone, Health éducation Unit Compound, Lilongwe, P.O. Box 30135, Malawi and Département de Médicine de Famille, Université de Goma, 2 Avenue Himbi, Goma, Boite postale 204, Congo
Conflict and Health 2011, 5:16 doi:10.1186/1752-1505-5-16
Published: 6 September 2011Abstract
Background
Syphilis, a known major public health issue for soldiers during periods of conflict, is exacerbated in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to widespread sexual violence. However, there has been no previous study to determine the extent of this problem. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of syphilis among young demobilized soldiers.
Methods
Screening of syphilis using the rapid plasma reagin test and the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay was conducted in three transit sites of soldier reintegration in 2005. The Fisher Exact probability test was used to compare results.
Results
The prevalence of syphilis was found to be 3.4%, with almost equal distribution in respect to sex, location.
Conclusion
Syphilis continues to be highly prevalent in demobilized child soldiers in Eastern Congo. Syphilis screening tests are recommended.