OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Armenia and Cucuta, Colombia.
METHODOLOGY: In 2021, 532 PWID from Armenia and Cucuta took a Bioline Syphilis rapid test, and data were collected through Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). Univariate and bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with syphilis infection.
RESULTS: Of the total number of participants, 85% are male gender and 15% female gender. Forty-two percent had a low educational level and 33% were homeless. The prevalence of syphilis among PWID was 15.8%. Factors associated with syphilis infection were being of the female gender, not have any school studies, homelessness, engaging in sex work, not accessing health services due to stigma, and never been referred to drug treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: PWID in Cucuta and Armenia present high prevalence of syphilis. An urgent effort is needed to reach out test and treat PWID for syphilis in Colombia, especially female gender.
Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in people who inject drugs in two Colombian cities syphilis in people who inject drugs
Journal of Substance Use [Epub 2024 Dec 30]. doi: 10.1080/14659891.2024.2446929.