The role of the Irkutsk branch of the Society for the Infectious Diseases Control in management of the prevention syphilis among the population

The article discusses the role of the Irkutsk branch of the Society for the Infectious Diseases Control in managing the prevention against syphilis among the population. Irkutsk province, as the outskirts of the Russian Empire, was a territory of intensive spread of infectious diseases in connection with its development. A large migration flow influenced the gender structure of the population and, as a result, the growth of prostitution and the spread of syphilis among the population.

The purpose of the study. To study the historical facts of the role of the established Irkutsk branch of the Society for the Infectious Diseases Control in managing the prevention syphilis among the population.

We used the historical method. The principles of the presentation of the research work were based on the chronology of events in managing the control for spread of syphilis among certain segments of the population of the Irkutsk province.

Information about the spread of syphilis formed from the results of medical examinations conducted among the female population in brothels, examinations of workers in factories, factories, and prisoners. One sent formed annual reports to the Governor-General. The high levels of spread of syphilis and infectious diseases served as an argument for the creation and establishment of the Society for the Infectious Diseases Control in Irkutsk in the form of Irkutsk branch. The objectives of the syphilis society were focused on the issues of detection, isolation, treatment, and prevention of the disease. Members of the society decided on the organization of syphilitic departments and the opening of outpatient paramedical treatment centers as a measure to combat the spread of syphilis.

Conclusion. We noted the progressive role in the approaches to the management of the control for the spread of syphilis, created by the Irkutsk branch of the Society for the Infectious Diseases Control.

Contribution of the authors:
Gaidarov G.M. — concept and design of the study;
Alekseevskaya T.I. — concept and design of the study, editing, writing the text;
Demidova T.V. — collection and processing of material, writing the text, compilation of a list of references;
Sofronov O.Yu. — collection and processing of material, writing the text, compilation of a list of references.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

 Received: December 28, 2022 /Accepted: January 22, 2023 / Published: April 29, 2024