ABSTRACT
O estudo trata da sífilis na gravidez, tema que se destacou no trabalho como enfermeira em dois municípios da Região Metropolitana do Estado do Pará, como coordenadora Municipal da Saúde da Mulher no município de Benevides-PA e na coordenação da Vigilância Epidemiológica no município de Santa Bárbara do Pará-PA, pela alta incidência no primeiro e a baixa no segundo. O estranhamento levou à necessidade de supervisão mais próxima junto às equipes de saúde, que levou à identificação de fragilidades no manejo dos casos de sífilis e inexistência de uma linha de cuidado voltada para o acompanhamento de gestantes acometidas. O objetivo geral do estudo foi o de propor uma linha de cuidado para gestantes com sífilis voltado para o cuidado integral. E, como objetivos específicos: analisar o Itinerário Terapêutico de gestantes diagnosticadas com Sífilis no município de Santa Bárbara do Pará; e identificar as ações que possam oferecer a melhoria do cuidado às gestantes com sífilis. Realizou-se estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, em duas etapas. A 1ª etapa consistiu de levantamento documental das fichas de notificação de sífilis em gestantes e dados dos prontuários, lançados em planilha Excel® e Word® e, analisados por meio de estatística descritiva simples. Na 2ª etapa realizou-se entrevista semiestruturada com 8 mulheres/gestantes diagnosticadas entre os anos de 2018 e 2021 com sífilis durante a gravidez. Obteve-se dados de caracterização sociodemográfica e sobre o itinerário terapêutico no pré-natal até a resolução da gravidez, o diagnóstico de sífilis, suas repercussões e serviços e apoios recebidos. Procedeu-se a análise de conteúdo das entrevistas segundo o referencial de Kleinman. A análise dos itinerários terapêuticos das mulheres durante a gestação permitiu identificar os subsistemas de cuidados de saúde. No subsistema popular, o apoio do parceiro e da família foram relevantes. A busca de cuidado da sífilis expressa o universo social e cultural da gestante. No subsistema tradicional, inclui-se a busca por especialistas da cura não profissionais como a vizinha benzedeira e prática em "puxar a barriga", bem como o uso de chás e alimentos com finalidade terapêutica. No subsistema profissional, constata-se os cuidados obtidos nos serviços de saúde nos diversos níveis de atenção, revelando-se as fragilidades do funcionamento do sistema. As análises apontaram os elementos para a proposição de uma linha de cuidado à gestante com sífilis para o município, que se configurou como o produto tecnológico resultante do presente estudo, que será apresentado à gestão municipal. Conclui-se que a trajetória percorrida pelas gestantes em busca de cuidado revela a complexidade do cuidado à mulher com sífilis na gestação e os desafios dos sistemas de saúde em compreender a ocorrência da sífilis como um sistema cultural de cuidados de saúde
The study deals with syphilis in pregnancy, a topic that stood out in her work as a nurse in two cities in the Metropolitan Region of the State of Pará, as Municipal Coordinator of Women's Health in the city of Benevides-PA and in the coordination of Epidemiological Monitoring in the city of Santa Bárbara do Pará-PA, for the high incidence in the first and the low in the second. The estrangement led to the need for closer supervision by the health teams, which led to the identification of weaknesses in the management of syphilis cases and the lack of a line of care aimed at monitoring affected pregnant women. The general objective of the study was to propose a line of care for pregnant women with syphilis aimed at comprehensive care. And, as specific objectives: to analyze the Therapeutic Itinerary of pregnant women diagnosed with Syphilis in the city of Santa Bárbara do Pará; and to identify actions that can improve care for pregnant women with syphilis. A descriptive study with a qualitative approach was carried out in two stages. The 1st stage consisted of documental survey of syphilis notification forms in pregnant women and data from medical records, entered in Excel® and Word® spreadsheets and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. In the 2nd stage, a semi-structured interview was carried out with 8 women/pregnant women diagnosed between 2018 and 2021 with syphilis during pregnancy. Sociodemographic characterization data and on the therapeutic itinerary in prenatal care until the resolution of the pregnancy, the diagnosis of syphilis, its repercussions and services and support received were obtained. Content analysis of the interviews was carried out according to Kleinman's framework. The analysis of women's therapeutic itineraries during pregnancy allowed the identification of health care subsystems. In the popular subsystem, partner and family support were relevant. The search for care for syphilis expresses the pregnant woman's social and cultural universe. In the traditional subsystem, the search for non-professional healing specialists is included, such as the healer next door and the practice of "pulling the belly", as well as the use of teas and foods for therapeutic purposes. In the professional subsystem, the care obtained in health services at different levels of care is observed, revealing the weaknesses of the functioning of the system. The analyzes pointed out the elements for proposing a line of care for pregnant women with syphilis for the municipality, which was configured as the technological product resulting from the present study, which will be presented to the municipal management. It is concluded that the trajectory taken by pregnant women in search of care reveals the complexity of care for women with syphilis during pregnancy and the challenges of health systems in understanding the occurrence of syphilis as a cultural system of health care
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Health Services Administration , Syphilis/therapy , Pregnant Women , Therapeutic ItineraryABSTRACT
Resumo O artigo objetivou analisar conhecimentos, percepções, práticas de cuidado e Itinerrários Terapêuticos (IT) para o diagnóstico e tratamento das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (IST), com destaque para sífilis, entre Travestis e Mulheres Trans (TrMT) em Salvador, Brasil. Foram realizados 05 grupos focais e 06 entrevistas semiestruturadas com 30 TrMT. Os achados apontam amplo desconhecimento e percepções contraditórias sobre as IST, especialmente a sífilis; identificação de duas importantes trajetórias de cuidado às IST e o destaque para IT marcados por estigmas e discriminação nos serviços de saúde. Sugere-se a ampliação das ações de saúde para essa população reconhecendo suas necessidades e a construção de novas estratégias de prevenção e tratamento para IST, dialogadas com as TrMT, e garantia de autonomia, ética e sigilo na produção do cuidado.
Abstract The article aimed to analyze knowledge, perceptions, care practices and Therapeutic Itineraries (TI) for the diagnosis and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), with emphasis on syphilis, among travesti and transgender women (TGW) in Salvador, Brazil. 05 focus groups and 06 semi-structured interviews with travesti/TGW were carried out with a total of 30 participants. The findings point to a wide lack of knowledge and contradictory perceptions about STD, especially syphilis; identification of two important trajectories of care for STD and the emphasis on TI marked by stigma and discrimination in health services. The expansion of health actions for this population is suggested, recognizing their needs and the construction of new prevention and treatment strategies for STD, in dialogue with the travesti/TGW, and guaranteeing autonomy, ethics and confidentiality in the production of care.
Resumen El artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar conocimientos, percepciones, prácticas de atención y Rutas Terapêuticas (RT) para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual (ETS), con énfasis en la sífilis, entre las travestidas y mujeres trans (TrMT) en Salvador, Brasil. Se realizaron 05 grupos focales y 06 entrevistas semiestructuradas con 30 TrMT. Los hallazgos apuntan a una amplia falta de conocimiento y percepciones contradictorias sobre las ETS, especialmente la sífilis; identificación de dos importantes trayectorias de atención a las ETS y el énfasis en las RT marcadas por el estigma y la discriminación en los servicios de salud. Se sugiere ampliar las acciones de salud para esta población, reconociendo sus necesidades y la construcción de nuevas estrategias de prevención y tratamiento de las ETS, en diálogo con el TrMT, y garantizando la autonomía, ética y confidencialidad en la producción de cuidados.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Transvestism , Syphilis/therapy , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/therapy , Social Stigma , Transgender Persons , Therapeutic Itinerary , Prejudice , Unified Health System , Brazil , Syphilis/diagnosis , Syphilis/prevention & control , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Sexual Health , Sexism , Health Services for Transgender Persons , Barriers to Access of Health Services , Health Services AccessibilityABSTRACT
Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar conceitos e práticas clínicas recomendados para a abordagem da pessoa com vida sexual ativa. Esses conceitos são parte integrante das recomendações do Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (IST) publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil em 2020. O artigo propõe uma abordagem abrangente da sexualidade para promoção da saúde e apresenta aspectos importantes do processo de comunicação, que deve ocorrer de forma clara, sem preconceitos ou juízos de valor, com foco na saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Destacam-se pontos relevantes acerca do exercício da sexualidade em fases específicas da vida, recomendando avaliação dos riscos e vulnerabilidades, bem como o rastreamento de IST e o uso de preservativos. Dessa maneira, é possível contribuir para que as pessoas possam exercer sua sexualidade de forma plena, responsável e segura.
This article aims to present concepts and clinical practices recommended to approach people with an active sex life. These concepts are an integral part of the recommendations of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), published by the Ministry of Health of Brazil in 2020.The article proposes a comprehensive approach to sexuality for health promotion and presents important aspects of the communication process that must develop clearly, without prejudice and judgment, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. It also highlights relevant points about the exercise of sexuality at specific stages of life, recommending assessment of risks and vulnerabilities, as well as screening for STI and condom use. In this way, it is possible to contribute so that people can exercise their sexuality fully, responsibly and safely.
Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar los conceptos y las prácticas clínicas recomendados para un abordaje de la persona con una vida sexual activa. Estos conceptos son parte de las recomendaciones contenidas en el Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual (ITS), publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil en 2020. El artículo propone un abordaje amplio de la sexualidad para la promoción de la salud. Presenta aspectos importantes del proceso de comunicación, que debe ocurrir con claridad, sin prejuicios y juicios de valor, con un enfoque en la salud sexual y reproductiva. Destaca puntos relevantes sobre el ejercicio de la sexualidad en etapas específicas de la vida, recomendando evaluación de riesgos y vulnerabilidades, así como el rastreo de ITS y el uso de preservativos. De esta forma, es posible contribuir para que las personas puedan ejercer su sexualidad de manera plena, responsable y segura.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Ulcer/therapy , Chancroid/therapy , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/therapy , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Genitalia/pathology , Brazil/epidemiology , Herpes Genitalis/therapy , Lymphogranuloma Venereum/therapy , Syphilis/therapy , Clinical Protocols , Granuloma Inguinale/therapyABSTRACT
As infecções que causam úlcera genital são um dos temas que compõem o Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil em 2020. Tal documento foi elaborado com base em evidências científicas e validado em discussões com especialistas. Este artigo aborda a síndrome clínica de úlcera genital causada por infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e seus agentes etiológicos mais comuns: Treponema pallidum (sífilis), vírus herpes simples 2 (herpes genital) e vírus herpes simples 1 (herpes perioral), Haemophilus ducreyi (cancroide), Chlamydia trachomatis sorotipos L1, L2 e L3 (linfogranuloma venéreo) e Klebsiella granulomatis (donovanose). São apresentados aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos dessas infecções, bem como orientações para seu diagnóstico e tratamento, além de estratégias para as ações de vigilância, prevenção e controle, com a finalidade de subsidiar gestores e profissionais de saúde na qualificação da assistência.
Infections that cause genital ulcers are one of the themes comprising the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. The Protocol and Guidelines have been developed based on scientific evidence and validated in discussions with specialists. This article addresses clinical genital ulcer syndrome caused by sexually transmitted infections, and its most common etiological agents: Treponema pallidum (syphilis), herpes simplex virus-2 (genital herpes) and herpes simplex virus-1 (perioral herpes), Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid), Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes L1, L2 and L3 (venereal lymphogranuloma), and Klebsiella granulomatis (donovanosis). Epidemiological and clinical aspects of these infections are presented, as well as guidelines for their diagnosis and treatment, in addition to strategies for surveillance, prevention and control actions, with the purpose of supporting health managers and professionals in the qualification of care.
El tema de las infecciones que causan úlcera genital hace parte del Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para Atención Integral a las Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil en 2020. Dicho documento fue elaborado con base en evidencias científicas y validado en discusiones con especialistas. Este artículo trata del síndrome de úlcera genital clínica provocada por infecciones de transmisión sexual, con sus agentes etiológicos más comunes: Treponema pallidum (sífilis), virus del herpes simple-1 (herpes genital) y virus del herpes simple-2 (herpes perioral), Haemophilus ducreyi (chancro blando), Chlamydia trachomatis, serotipos L1, L2 y L3 (linfogranuloma venéreo), y Klebsiella granulomatis (donovanosis). Se presentan aspectos epidemiológicos y clínicos de esas infecciones, bien como pautas para su diagnóstico y tratamiento, además de estrategias para acciones de monitoreo epidemiológico, prevención y control, a fin de contribuir con gestores y personal de salud en la cualificación de la asistencia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Ulcer/therapy , Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral/epidemiology , Chancroid/therapy , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/therapy , Genitalia/pathology , Brazil/epidemiology , Herpes Genitalis/therapy , Lymphogranuloma Venereum/therapy , Syphilis/therapy , Clinical Protocols , Granuloma Inguinale/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia are leading preventable causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa yet testing coverage for conditions other than HIV is low. Availing point-of-care tests (POCTs) at rural antenatal health facilities (dispensaries) has the potential to improve access and timely treatment. Fundamental to the adoption of and adherence to new diagnostic approaches are healthcare workers' and pregnant women's (end-users) buy-in. A qualitative approach was used to capture end-users' experiences of using POCTs for HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia to assess the appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility of integrated testing for ANC. METHODS: Seven dispensaries were purposively selected to implement integrated point-of-care testing for eight months in western Kenya. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 healthcare workers (14 nurses, one clinical officer, two HIV testing counsellors, and one laboratory technician) who were trained, had experience doing integrated point-of-care testing, and were still working at the facilities 8-12 months after the intervention began. The interviews explored acceptability and relevance of POCTs to ANC, challenges with testing, training and supervision, and healthcare workers' perspectives of client experiences. Twelve focus group discussions with 118 pregnant women who had attended a first ANC visit at the study facilities during the intervention were conducted to explore their knowledge of HIV, syphilis, malaria, and anaemia, experience of ANC point-of-care testing services, treatments received, relationships with healthcare workers, and experience of talking to partners about HIV and syphilis results. RESULTS: Healthcare workers reported that they enjoyed gaining new skills, were enthusiastic about using POCTs, and found them easy to use and appropriate to their practice. Initial concerns that performing additional testing would increase their workload in an already strained environment were resolved with experience and proficiency with the testing procedures. However, despite having the diagnostic tools, general health system challenges such as high client to healthcare worker volume ratio, stock-outs and poor working conditions challenged the delivery of adequate counselling and management of the four conditions. Pregnant women appreciated POCTs, but reported poor healthcare worker attitudes, drug stock-outs, and fear of HIV disclosure to their partners as shortcomings to their ANC experience in general. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of integrating POCTs into ANC services among end-users. While the innovation was desired and perceived as beneficial, future scale-up efforts would need to address health system weaknesses if integrated testing and subsequent effective management of the four conditions are to be achieved.
Subject(s)
Anemia , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , HIV Infections , Malaria , Patient Satisfaction , Point-of-Care Testing , Prenatal Care , Adult , Anemia/therapy , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Kenya , Malaria/therapy , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis , Qualitative Research , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
Until the end of the Second World War, syphilis was a common sexually transmitted infection. This stigmatising infectious disease caused mental decline, paralysis and eventually death. The history of syphilis was given public attention because of 'malaria therapy', which had been applied from the First World War onwards in patients with paralytic dementia. In 1917, the Austrian physician Julius Wagner-Jauregg (1857-1940) induced fever in these patients by infecting them with malaria parasites; in 1927, he received the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the healing properties of malarial fever. One source, not cited anywhere, is an interview that the American bacteriologist and science writer/medical journalist Paul de Kruif conducted with Wagner-Jauregg in 1930. The reporting of this meeting, and De Kruif's later involvement in the mechanical heat treatment of patients with syphilis, form the inspiration for this article. When penicillin became available, both treatments became obsolete.
Subject(s)
Hyperthermia, Induced , Malaria/physiopathology , Syphilis/history , Syphilis/therapy , Austria , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Neurosyphilis , Nobel Prize , Penicillins , World War IABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis aims for ≥ 90% of pregnant women to be tested for syphilis and ≥ 90% to receive treatment by 2015. We calculated global and regional estimates of syphilis in pregnancy and associated adverse outcomes for 2008, as well as antenatal care (ANC) coverage for women with syphilis. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Estimates were based upon a health service delivery model. National syphilis seropositivity data from 97 of 193 countries and ANC coverage from 147 countries were obtained from World Health Organization databases. Proportions of adverse outcomes and effectiveness of screening and treatment were from published literature. Regional estimates of ANC syphilis testing and treatment were examined through sensitivity analysis. In 2008, approximately 1.36 million (range: 1.16 to 1.56 million) pregnant women globally were estimated to have probable active syphilis; of these, 80% had attended ANC. Globally, 520,905 (best case: 425,847; worst case: 615,963) adverse outcomes were estimated to be caused by maternal syphilis, including approximately 212,327 (174,938; 249,716) stillbirths (>28 wk) or early fetal deaths (22 to 28 wk), 91,764 (76,141; 107,397) neonatal deaths, 65,267 (56,929; 73,605) preterm or low birth weight infants, and 151,547 (117,848; 185,245) infected newborns. Approximately 66% of adverse outcomes occurred in ANC attendees who were not tested or were not treated for syphilis. In 2008, based on the middle case scenario, clinical services likely averted 26% of all adverse outcomes. Limitations include missing syphilis seropositivity data for many countries in Europe, the Mediterranean, and North America, and use of estimates for the proportion of syphilis that was "probable active," and for testing and treatment coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis continues to affect large numbers of pregnant women, causing substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality that could be prevented by early testing and treatment. In this analysis, most adverse outcomes occurred among women who attended ANC but were not tested or treated for syphilis, highlighting the need to improve the quality of ANC as well as ANC coverage. In addition, improved ANC data on syphilis testing coverage, positivity, and treatment are needed. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Subject(s)
Global Health , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Syphilis, Congenital/epidemiology , Syphilis/epidemiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Early Diagnosis , Female , Fetal Death/epidemiology , Fetal Death/prevention & control , Fetal Mortality , Gestational Age , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Infant Mortality , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/mortality , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy , Premature Birth/epidemiology , Premature Birth/prevention & control , Prenatal Care , Serologic Tests , Stillbirth/epidemiology , Syphilis/diagnosis , Syphilis/mortality , Syphilis/therapy , Syphilis/transmission , Syphilis, Congenital/diagnosis , Syphilis, Congenital/mortality , Syphilis, Congenital/therapy , Syphilis, Congenital/transmission , Time FactorsABSTRACT
HIV and syphilis affect similar patient groups and coinfection is common. All patients presenting with syphilis should be offered HIV testing and vice versa. Syphilis can enhance the transmission of HIV. Detection and treatment of syphilis can probably help to reduce HIV transmission. Syphilis may present with atypical features in the HIV-positive patient, for example, there is a higher rate of asymptomatic primary syphilis, and proportionately more HIV-positive patients present with secondary disease. Secondary infection may be more aggressive and there is an increased rate of early neurologic and ophthalmic involvement. Diagnosis is generally made with serology, but the clinician should be aware of the potential for false-negative serology in both primary and, less commonly, in secondary syphilis. All HIV-positive patients should be treated with a penicillin-based regimen, and alternative therapies should be used with caution. All HIV-positive patients should be considered for the evaluation of neurosyphilis. Relapse is a real concern and careful follow up is required. This review will explore the differences in clinical manifestations in HIV-coinfected individuals, and will discuss data to warrant different management in HIV-coinfected individuals.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV-1 , Syphilis/diagnosis , Comorbidity/trends , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/therapy , Humans , Penicillin G/therapeutic use , Syphilis/epidemiology , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
La maladie chronique se définit par son mode réactionnel: la Psore est centrifuge/ la Sycose représente une stagnation de la maladie, son cloisonnement dans le milieu intérieur. Quant à la Luèse, il s'agit d'un mécanisme extrême de retournement de l'organisme contre lui-même. Les lésions... (AU)
Subject(s)
Case Reports , Male , Aged , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
La Luèse est une des trois diathèses décrites par S.F.Hahnemann. La Psore mettait en cause l'enveloppe de l'homme, c'est-à-dire la peau. La Sycose impliquait les systèmes d'élimination de l'organisme. La Luèse va s'interesser aux différents éléments "squelettiques" de l'organisme humain: le système osseux, le système cardio-vasculaire, le système nerveux. (AU)
Subject(s)
Syphilis/therapy , Syphilis/physiopathology , Homeopathic TherapeuticsABSTRACT
La syphilis ou maladie chancreuse a incontestablement servi de modele à la conception qu'élabora Hahnemann de la maladie chronique et de l'evolution diathésique. (AU)
Subject(s)
Syphilis/history , Homeopathy/history , Mercurius Solubilis , Lead Poisoning , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
A national survey of sexually transmitted disease (STD) case management was carried out at 39 health care facilities in Malawi in 1994. Fifty-four health care providers were observed managing 150 patients presenting with selected STD syndromes and 103 providers were interviewed. STD case management was assessed by calculation of WHO/GPA prevention indicators (PIs) from observation data. The overall rate for PI-6, which measures correct assessment and treatment of STD patients was 11% (81% for history taking, 46% in physical examination, and 13% correct antibiotic treatment according to national guidelines). The score for PI-7, which measures overall patient counselling was 29% (65% for partner notification and 40% for condom advice). Although Haemophilus ducreyi is at least as common as Treponema pallidum as the causative agent for genital ulcers, only 16% of patients with genital ulcers were treated effectively for chancroid vs 56% for syphilis. Female patients received less comprehensive care than male STD patients. Only 20% of STD patients were offered condoms. Overall, the survey results support the policy decision to adopt syndromic management of STDs, and provide baseline information for planning and evaluation of a national control programme.
Subject(s)
Case Management , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Africa/epidemiology , Chancroid/therapy , Condoms , Counseling , Delivery of Health Care/methods , Female , Health Care Surveys/statistics & numerical data , Health Personnel , Humans , Male , Patient Education as Topic , Prejudice , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
Between 1916 and 1955 the Mayo Clinic became recognized as one of the premier institutions specializing in the treatment of syphilis. First under the direction of John H. Stokes (1916-1924) and later Paul A. O'Leary (1924-1953), its Department of Dermatology and Syphilology, together with the members of the Clinical Cooperative Study Group, oversaw the establishment of standardized methods for the administration of the existing arsenicals and the introduction of new therapies. Malaria therapy, heat therapy, penicillin, and oxytetracycline each represented important advances in the treatment of syphilis and were extensively evaluated. Two important ancillary benefits of syphilis treatment were the development of routine intravenous techniques, which would later prove invaluable for the administration of antibiotics and cancer drugs, and the establishment of large cooperative clinical trials, the first of their kind. Under the leadership of Stokes and O'Leary the department produced a stream of pivotal clinical research that contributed to the effective management of syphilis in the United States.
Subject(s)
Malaria/physiopathology , Mercury/therapeutic use , Penicillins/therapeutic use , Syphilis/history , Arsenicals/history , Arsenicals/therapeutic use , Clinical Trials as Topic/history , Dermatology/history , History, 20th Century , Hospitals, Group Practice/history , Humans , Hyperthermia, Induced/history , Injections, Intravenous/history , Malaria/history , Mercury/history , Minnesota , Oxytetracycline/history , Oxytetracycline/therapeutic use , Penicillins/history , Syphilis/drug therapy , Syphilis/therapyABSTRACT
A survey of 623 volunteers from a popular sauna club for homosexual men in Melbourne was carried out over a 12-month period. Blood samples were taken for serological tests for syphilis from each subject; in 114 (18.3%) of these, the test results were positive. Thirty-four subjects with positive test results (5.4%) had no previous history of syphilis. Follow-up was possible in 22 of these (64.7%), which resulted in 17 new cases of syphilis being detected and treated (a case incidence of 2.7%). Blood testing at sauna clubs patronized by homosexuals is a productive and cost-effective way of detecting asymptomatic syphilis in individuals at high risk of infection.