Epidemiological features of syphilis and gonorrhea in Beijing in 2004-2012

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features of syphilis and gonorrhea in Beijing from 2004 to 2012,and to provide scientific reference for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases(STDs).Methods A descriptive epidemiological analysis was applied to analyze data collected from patients with syphilis and gonorrhea reported by China information system for disease control and prevention during 2004 to 2012 in Beijing.Results A total of 33363 cases of syphilis and 23983 cases of gonorrhea were reported respectively with the annual incidence ranging from 12.26-25.13 and from 5.52-35.53 per 100000 population.The annual incidence of cases with gonorrhea showed down-ward trend from 2004 to 2012(χ2trend=48.53,P0.01).There were more male patients than females with gonorrhea and with every stage of syphilis except for latent one.The majority of patients with syphilis and gonorrhea were between the ages of 20 and 49 who were sexually more active which accounted for 64.59% and 88.43% of total cases.Latent syphilis was found to be the predominant type accounting for 53.77% of all syphilis cases.Most cases were from Fengtai,Haidian and Chaoyang districts and were housekeepers or unemployed individuals.Conclusions Syphilis has become the most common STD in Beijing,therefore,it is very important to educate people especially those migrating population with the prevention knowledge of syphilis and other STDs in order to control the endemic of STDs.