Rapid syphilis testing among young people: prevalence and associated factors

Authors

  • William Caracas Moreira Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campos Porangabuçu, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. Bolsista da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil.
  • Leidyanny Barbosa de Medeiros Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil.
  • Rute Xavier Silva Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. Bolsista da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil.
  • Jordana de Almeida Nogueira Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil.
  • Mônica Oliveira Batista Oriá Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campos Porangabuçu, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. Bolsista do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brasil.
  • Oriana Deyze Correia Paiva Leadebal Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7488.4959

Keywords:

Syphilis; Young Adult; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Vulnerability; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Prevalence.

Abstract

Objective:  to analyze the prevalence of rapid syphilis testing among young people and its associated factors. Method:  cross-sectional study, conducted in two Testing and Counseling Centers. It involved 301 young people, whose information was collected using a validated instrument and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, prevalence ratios, and logistic regression. Results:  young people had a prevalence of 14.9% for rapid syphilis testing, with significant associations with sociodemographic factors (male gender, transgender identity, and non-heterosexual sexual orientation), socioeconomic factors (low income, independent living, and history of institutionalization), and behavioral factors (transactional sex, risky sexual practices, history of sexually transmitted infections, and drug use). Multivariate analysis confirmed higher odds of rapid syphilis testing among low-income, male youth with a history of sexually transmitted infections, reinforcing the vulnerability of these groups. Conclusion:  In summary, the prevalence and factors associated with rapid syphilis testing among young people permeate an intersectional structure with multiple layers of vulnerabilities, encompassing sociodemographic, sociostructural, and behavioral dimensions.

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Published

2026-10-16

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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How to Cite

Moreira, W. C., Medeiros, L. B. de, Silva, R. X., Nogueira, J. de A., Oriá, M. O. B., & Leadebal, O. D. C. P. (2026). Rapid syphilis testing among young people: prevalence and associated factors. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 34, e4959. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7488.4959