[Prevalence of syphilis and gonorrhea in a family practice in Curaçao,1987-1991].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of syphilis and gonorrhoea in a general practice from 1987 to 1991.

DESIGN

Contact registration.

SETTING

Sentro Mediko Kas Chikitu in Curaçao.

METHOD

The numbers of patients having a syphilis or gonorrhoea infection were recorded. Using the chi 2-test prevalence was related to age and (or) sex.

RESULTS

Syphilis infections (n = 96) were not age-related (chi 2 = 2.21; df = 4; p = 0.70) and occurred significantly more often among men (chi 2 = 19.70; p < 0.001); 6 out of 31 infected women contracted a syphilis infection during pregnancy; 9% of the men and 3% of the women between the ages of 15 and 64 contracted syphilis during this period. Between the ages of 15 and 24 there were significantly more and between the ages of 45 and 64 significantly fewer gonorrhoea infections (chi 2 = 21.99; df = 4; p < 0.001). Gonorrhoea infections (n = 75) were significantly more frequent among men (chi 2 = 61.3; p < 0.001); 37% of the men had had a previous infection. Of the cultured N. gonorrhoea 27% proved to be beta-lactamase-positive. Of the male population between 15 and 64 years 6% contracted gonorrhoea, of the female population 0.4%.