The epidemiology of early syphilis in Houston, Texas, 1994-1995

Background and Objectives: Since 1990, rates of syphilis in the United States have steadily declined. However, the South still records disproportionately high rates of syphilis infection. Goal: The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology of early syphilis in Houston, TX, the largest urban center in the South, in 1994 and 1995. Study Design: The study is cross-sectional and descriptive, and uses data collected by Disease Intervention Specialists on the Interview Form 73.54 from interviews with men and women diagnosed with early syphilis. Results: Early syphilis in Houston is highly concentrated in a 'belt' that extends north to south in a line just east of the city center. Although sex-specific rates of early syphilis are roughly equal, men are 3.5 times more likely than women to be diagnosed with primary syphilis, whereas women are nearly 2 times more likely than men to be diagnosed with secondary syphilis and 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with early latent syphilis. Conclusion: Routine surveillance data indicate that young, African-American men and women in Houston's inner-city neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by syphilis. Particular efforts must be made to reach women, who are detected and treated at later stages of the disease than men.