Congenital syphilis related to primary health care and prenatal care coverage: a spatial analysis, Minas Gerais, 2020-2022

Abstract

Objective: To analyze variation in congenital syphilis incidence, according to prenatal indicators and primary health care (PHC) coverage in the state of Minas Gerais, between 2020 and 2022. Methods: Spatial analysis presented by means of clusters, using the non-hierarchical k-means technique and spatial georeferencing, with secondary data from the Primary Care Health Information System and the Minas Gerais State Health Department Health Surveillance Portal. Results: Cluster 1 presented lower prenatal indicators (35.5%) and PHC coverage (88.6%), with high congenital syphilis incidence (36.5 cases/1,000 live births). Cluster 2 demonstrated lower incidence of the disease (5.1 cases/1,000 live births) and better PHC (96.5%) and prenatal (57.5%) coverage. Cluster 3 recorded prenatal indicators with low performance (25.7%), adequate PHC coverage (92.2%), and low congenital syphilis incidence (3.21 cases/1,000 live births). Conclusion: Different care behaviors and congenital syphilis incidence were identified between health macro-regions and/or municipalities of Minas Gerais; as such, the study can contribute to the formulation of public policies to address this infection.