Prevalence of syphilis and Chlamydia trachomitis in soldiers

Aims. Chlamydia and syphilis are two important diseases in adults that have sexual activity. Because of no statistics of sexual transmitted in military of Iran, we decided to show the prevalence of these two diseases in soldiers and to recommend prophylaxis as a health strategy for them. Methods. This is a cross-sectional systematic random study that conducted in 1041 soldiers in Tehran in 2008. They consented for study and signed end of question chart. Then, 5ml of blood sample took from each and assayed for syphilis with VDRL and for quantities of Chlamydia trochomitis IgG. High risk behaviors also suggested. Data analyzed with SPSS 13. Results. The mean age of samples was 21.4±1.9 years. 44.9% (467 person) had diploma and 89.1% (928 person) were unmarried. One person was VDRL positive (0.1%) and 15 soldiers (1.4%) were positive for Chlamydia. Genital ulcer was positive in 20 soldiers (1.9%) and dysuria in 97 soldiers (9.3%). 20 soldiers (1.9%) had addiction and 218 soldiers (20.9%) smoked cigarettes. But, No one of these risk factors had any significant relation with Chlamydia infection (p>0.207). Conclusion. Prevalence of sexual transmitted disease is low, but high risk behavior such as sexual contact and unused of condom was high. Therefore, these high risk behaviors should be corrected.