Online Program

295260
Syphilis: Predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Jeff Vasiloff, MD, MPH, Depart of Biology, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH
Robert Braun, PhD, MPH, CHES, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Otterbein University, Westerville, OH
Introduction: Prevention of sexually-transmitted infections, including syphilis, is suboptimal. While health education with respect to safer sex is necessary, it is not sufficient. As detailed in PRECEDE-PROCEED, predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing are paramount contributors to health behaviors. We sought to discover the prevalence of select factors in cases of early syphilis in two major metropolitan areas in Ohio. Methods: Using 2011 data provided by the Ohio Department of Health, we conducted a county-by-county comparison of early syphilis cases with respect to predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors collected by disease intervention specialists (DIS). Results: Two prevalent predisposing factors in males were: Franklin (n = 131): a) anonymous sex: 51.1%; b) use of Internet to find partners: 40%.; Hamilton (n = 129): a) anonymous: 51.9%; b) Internet: 17.8%. Two prevalent enabling factors in males were: Franklin: c) intoxication during sex: 57.3%; d) non-injection drug use: 70.2%.; Hamilton: c) intoxication: 57.4%; d) non-injection: 56.6%. One reinforcing factor was apparent in males: e) sex for drugs or money: Franklin: 5.3%.; Hamilton: 19.4%. Prevalent factors in females were (Franklin, n = 18 and Hamilton, n = 113) a) anonymous: 33.3%, 14.2%; b) Internet: 0%, < 1%; c) intoxication: 61.1%, 38.9%; d) non-injection: 66.7%, 44.2%; e) sex/drugs/money: 16.7%, 4.4%. Conclusions: Prevalent predisposing and enabling factors were found in cases of early syphilis in Ohio. Especially prevalent were: a) intoxication and non-injection drug use in both males and females; and b) anonymous sex and Internet use for partners in males. These factors need addressed in prevention activities.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
Identify two prevalent predisposing factors and two prevalent enabling factors in the acquisition of early syphilis in two major metropolitan areas of Ohio in 2011. Compare and contrast the prevalent predisposing and enabling factors in the acquisition of early syphilis in males versus females. Compare and contrast the prevalent predisposing and enabling factors in the acquisition of early syphilis in men who have sex with men versus self-identified heterosexual men.

Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered