Abstract
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It remains a public health concern due to its potential for serious complications if left untreated. In this study, syphilis prevalence was assessed among blood donors to identify patterns based on demographic factors such as age. Syphilis was detected using immunochromatographic testing, and data were analyzed with Chi-square testing to assess the association between age groups and infection status. The results provide insight into the distribution of syphilis infection within the donor population. A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Institute of Kidney Disease Hayatabad, Peshawar, examined 131 voluntary and replacement blood donors aged 18–50 between April to August. Using immunochromatographic testing, the syphilis prevalence rate was found to be 3.8% (5 positive out of 131), with the majority of donors being male (61.1%). The 18–28 age group represented 46.6% of both syphilis-positive and syphilis-negative individuals. A Chi-square test confirmed a significant association between age group and syphilis status (χ² = 5.965, p < 0.05), indicating that infection rates vary by age. Syphilis prevalence was 3.8%, with a significant association between age group and infection, underscoring the need for targeted screening and prevention strategies.
Key words: Treponema pallidum, syphilis, cross-sectional descriptive study.