Prevalence of Treponema pallidium amongst Students of Delta State University, South-South Nigeria

Objective: Infection due to Treponema pallidum (syphilis) is a major challenge and continues to be a public health problem around the world. It is a bacterial infection transmitted commonly through sexual contact, blood and also through mother-to-child (vertical). A cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of syphilis among students of Delta State University, Abraka was carried out between September 2022 and January 2023.

Method: Data and blood samples were collected randomly from 500 participants from the various faculties of the University. Blood samples were collected in EDTA bottles following aseptic techniques and subsequently screened for syphilis using the rapid test (RT) method.

Results: Of the 500 samples screened, 143 were positive for T. pallidium giving an overall prevalence of 48.6%. Students from the faculty of science recorded the highest prevalence of 68%, this was followed by students from the faculty of Arts (33%) while students from the faculty of Basic Medical Sciences recorded the least prevalence of 15%. This difference in prevalence among the faculties was statistically insignificant (P=0.695). Overall, a higher prevalence (40.4%) was recorded for males than females (16.8%) (P=1.24). The highest prevalence of 42% was recorded among males from the faculty of science while the lowest was recorded among females from the faculty of Education. The difference in prevalence among genders in the various faculties when compared was not statistically significant (P=0.201).

Conclusion: This study has revealed a relatively high level of infection with syphilis (T. palladium) among students of Delta State University Abraka and should be a concern. There is therefore a dire need for proper enlightenment on this disease and behavioural change among this vulnerable population.