Syphilis Screening Among Primary Care Providers

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause lesions on various mucosal areas of the body on an infected individual. If the disease is left untreated, syphilis can progress and affect an individual’s cardiovascular, neurological, and immune systems. The STI rates are on the rise across the United States, especially in the state of Mississippi. Because of the increase in syphilis rates in Mississippi, the researchers developed this study. The purpose of this study is to determine if primary care providers (PCPs) are knowledgeable and screening according to the guidelines of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) and those set-in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The researchers conducted a descriptive, quantitative study using a convenience sample of PCPs from multiple clinics within Mississippi. After obtaining approval from the Mississippi University of Women’s Institutional Review Board, data was collected via survey using Google Forms. Data analysis determined 90.2% of respondents were not screening according to recommended guidelines. The researchers concluded there was a lack of knowledge among primary care providers regarding syphilis screening guidelines