RISK FACTORS AND PREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS IN QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF TOCANTINS

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the etiological agent Treponema pallidum. Its most frequently observed form of transmission is through unprotected sexual contact, other means of spreading syphilis occur through congenital, gestational or contact with contaminated blood. This research aims to investigate the risk factors associated with the prevalence of syphilis in quilombola communities in the north of Tocantins and is characterized as a cross-sectional and descriptive observational study. The application of a structured questionnaire elucidated a majority male, adult, mixed-race population, with a low level of education and who undergoes regular medical follow-up. Furthermore, the population surveyed has low adherence to the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, early sex and a history of STI diagnosis, factors considered as predisposing to the change in prevalence found in this study. Thus, the results of this research made it possible to verify the risk factors found. In this sense, it is imperative to practice and develop strategies aimed at popular health education, with an emphasis on the importance of using condoms for safe sexual practice.