[Analysis on the epidemiology of syphilis from 1994 to 1998 in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE

To explore associated factors related to the considerable increase of syphilis based on the epidemiologic analysis of new cases in the recent five years in Beijing, and to provide reference for further prevention and treatment of syphilis.

METHODS

New cases of syphilis reported in the city were collected consecutively.

RESULTS

It was indicated that the annual specific incidence rate had been greatly increasing, which was 3.81 per 100 thousand residents with an average annual increase as high as 387.68%. Most of the patients were cases in early phases. More second - stage cases were reported than first - stage cases. Among cases at first - stage, men were dominant seen while women were dominant among cases of second - stage. Patients aged 20 - 49 years counted for large percentage of the newly identified cases and the self - employed and the unemployed persons were seen in terms of job category. Married persons had a yearly increasing proportion in incident cases. Most popular way of transmission was through unmarried sexual contact.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the epidemiology feature of syphilis in Beijing, with prevention measures taken, the incidence of syphilis was controlled to some extent. Since syphilis is prone to the transmission of AIDS, the control of syphilis transmission has an important implication to the control of AIDS epidemic.