Knowledge and Vulnerability of Participants in the Syphilis Tent: University Extension Action

Abstract

Introducion: Study aims to describe and evaluate the socioeconomic profile, risk factors, sexual practices and the knowledge of the participants of the university extension activity Syphilis Tent about this infection. Method: Descriptive-transversal research, with 1000 participants, between october 2016 and december 2019, at the University Campusand University Hospital of the State of Rio de Janeiro. To collect the data, a semi-structured questionnaire was used, applied at the time of the educational activity. Results: Most participants were women (72%), white (41%), young adults (55%), single (51%), incomplete higher education (37%) and income below three minimum wages (48%), heterosexual (86%), sexually active (75%) and single sexual partner (88%). The most prevalent risk factors were the non / sporadic use of condoms (64%) and the consumption of alcoholic beverages (43%). The positivity of the population tested for syphilis (n = 150) was 9.3% and 9.1% of the participants correctly answered the forms of transmission of the infection. Conclusion: It was possible to identify the vulnerabilities to syphilis and adjust educational and care practices so that they result in significant learning and greater resilience for the population.