Detection of gestational and congenital syphilis in Paraná state, Brazil, 2007-2021: a time series analysis

Abstract

Objective: To describe temporal trends in the detection rates of gestational and congenital syphilis, by maternal age and health macro-region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, 2007-2021. Methods: This was a time-series study using surveillance data; the trend analysis was performed by means of joinpoint regression, and average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Results: An increase in statewide detection of gestational syphilis (AAPC = 21.7; 95%CI 17.7; 32.8) and congenital syphilis (AAPC = 14.8; 95%CI 13.0; 19.7) was found; an increase was also found in the health macro-regions, with the Northwest (gestational, AAPC = 26.1; 95%CI 23.4; 31.6) and North (congenital, AAPC = 23.8; 95%CI 18.8; 48.9) macro-regions standing out; statewide rising trends were observed for young women [gestational, AAPC = 26.2 (95%CI 22.4; 40.6); congenital, AAPC = 19.4 (95%CI 17.6; 21.8)] and adult women [gestational, AAPC = 21.3 (95%CI 16.9; 31.9); congenital, AAPC = 13.7 (95%CI 11.9; 19.3)]. Conclusion: Maternal and child syphilis detection rates increased in the state, regardless of maternal age and health macro-region.