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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Syphilis remains a growing public health concern, with increasing reported incidence globally. Future healthcare professionals play a key role in prevention, early detection, and education. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological trends of syphilis in the Autonomous Province (AP) Vojvodina and to assess the level of factual knowledge about syphilis and prevention measures, as well as attitudes toward education, stigma, and preventive strategies, among students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. METHODS: Epidemiological data on syphilis in the AP Vojvodina from 1997 to 2024 were analyzed using annual case numbers, crude incidence rates, age-specific and sex-specific incidence rates, and age-standardized incidence rates calculated by direct standardization to the European standard population. Second, a structured survey was administered to 356 students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad from December 1 to 30, 2024 to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward syphilis and its prevention. RESULTS: From 1997 to 2024, 1,034 syphilis cases were reported in AP Vojvodina, mostly among individuals aged 25-34. The age-standardized rate of incidence showed a rising trend, peaking in 2023 at 9.33 per 100,000. Among 356 surveyed students (mean age 22.2; 74.4% female), medical students had significantly higher self-assessed knowledge scores compared to students from other health-related study programmes (36.99% vs. 8.03%; p < 0.001). Prior sexually transmitted infections education was strongly associated with better knowledge scores (OR = 5.98; 95% CI: 3.41-10.49; p < 0.001). Most students (60%) cited stigma as a barrier to care, and while 87% supported the need for syphilis education, only 15% felt confident advising patients on prevention. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing syphilis incidence in AP Vojvodina, particularly among young men, mirrors EU trends and highlights a growing public health concern. Despite favourable attitudes, students demonstrated notable knowledge gaps. Targeted education on sexually transmitted infections, with emphasis on practical prevention strategies and counselling skills, is essential to equip future healthcare professionals for effective prevention and stigma reduction, while taking current epidemiological trends into account.
Golušin et al. (Wed,) studied this question.