Original Research Article Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine, July-September 2016;3(3):176-179 176 A study on Syphilis screening in Karnataka Sunil Kumar DR 1,* , Kotresh 2 , Prabhudeva 3 , Narayanaswamy 4 , Bharatesh Shetty 5 , Reynold Washington 6 1,3,4 Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Tumkur, Karnataka, 2 Basaveshswara Medical College & Research Centre, Karnataka, 5,6 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bangalore, Karnataka *Corresponding Author: Email: drsunilkumar2006@gmail.com Abstract Background: Syphilis is a common but curable STI especially among high-risk populations in India and FSW are at higher risk of acquiring STIs including syphilis. Limited access to medical care can reduce individual treatment thereby indirectly facilitating transmission within the population. There is increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission of HIV because of ulcerative syphilis. Objectives  To know the sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence and treatment rate of syphilis among female sex workers attending KHPT clinics in Karnataka. Method: The study data was collected from female sex workers attending 168 KHPT programme associated clinics and laboratories in Karnataka 12 . Out of 24,678 female sex workers, 3715 were selected for study and screened for syphilis. The female sex workers were screened for syphilis collecting blood samples by using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. The sociodemographic characteristics were obtained using a predesigned questionnaire. Results: Among FSWs 75.61% (2809) were illiterates and 19.36%(720) were literates. 1314(35.37%) were married, 289(7.77%) were Unmarried, 226(6.08%) were divorced and 598(16.09%) were widows. Majority of FSW 2563(68.99%) were soliciting in street/public place, 704(18.95%) were home based and small proportion (6.23%) belong to brothel and Lodge based. Overall, 3715 FSWs were tested for syphilis. Among them 393 (11.89%) were reactive for syphilis. Among the reactive 319(81.17%) were treated for syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis was 11.89% and treatment rate was 81.17% among female sex workers in Karnataka. Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis was high among female sex workers attending KHPT clinics in Karnataka and majority of them were treated for syphilis. Even though prevalence of syphilis is more, the treatment coverage was high in female sex workers. Achieving good treatment coverage therefore will help not only to reduce syphilis incidence but also HIV disease burden in the high risk population and general population since the relationship between syphilis and HIV is well established. This study has shown syphilis continues to be highly prevalent among female sex workers and targeted intervention programmes need to focus on curable STI like syphilis. Keywords: Female sex workers, Syphilis, STI, RPR, Karnataka Access this article online Website: www.innovativepublication.com DOI: 10.5958/2394-6776.2016.00039.4 Background Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The organism enters the body via an abrasion during sexual contact, can also penetrate intact mucous membrane and the incubation period is about 3 weeks 1,2 . In the primary stage, the disease manifests as a painless single ulcer, often on the genitals or in the anal region. The symptoms are often missed, especially if it is internal (vaginal, anal or oral) since the ulcer is painless and single. Besides, the self-limiting nature of the ulcer does not draw enough attention for it to be reported as a symptom. In the absence of treatment the disease persists and progresses to the secondary (skin manifestations – rash) or tertiary stage (neurosyphilis or cardiovascular syphilis). Syphilis is a common but curable STI especially among high-risk populations in India. Female sex workers (FSW) are at higher risk of acquiring STIs including syphilis. There is increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission of HIV because of ulcerative syphilis. In addition to risky sexual behaviour factors such as mobility, violence, stigma and alcohol abuse in FSW community increase their vulnerability to syphilis. Limited access to medical care can reduce individual treatment thereby indirectly facilitating transmission within the population. Syphilis seropositivity was 10.1% in female sex workers in twin cities of India 3 . N Kumaraswamy study in India showed syphilis prevalence of 11% in women, 8% in men 4 . A study in the year 2000 from a red-light area in Surat, Gujarat in India showed prevalence of syphilis 22.7% 5 . Syphilis prevalence in the IBBA-1 (Integrated Biological Behavioural Assessment survey) ranged from 4.7% (street-based FSWs, Thane, Maharashtra, India) to 51% (Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India) 3 . STI prevalence studies using multiple diagnostic methods in community and clinic-based settings among FSWs in India from 2000 to 2009 have shown widely varying range of syphilis prevalence