In 1977, VDRL was used for serologic testing of 1502 adult male and female blue collar workers, 15 through 54 years old, residents of Planaltina, a Brasilia bedroom community. When prostitutes were excluded from the results, the prevalence rate for positive results was 2.3% being more elevated among women, married people and older ages; whereas, one in every three prostitutes showed positive. Brasilia's intense mobility rate makes this a grave public health problem.
Syphilis; Venereal diseases; Serological surveys