Actions for prevention of vertical transmission of syphilis offered to the indigenous population

Abstract

Objective: To identify actions to prevent vertical transmission of syphilis offered to the indigenous population in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Methods: Quantitative and cross-sectional study carried out with 33 nurses with the use of a self-administered questionnaire between May and August 2018 that had three components: Laboratory care, clinical care, and health promotion in an intercultural context. Averages of the answers and their standard deviations were calculated. Results: The study indicated availability of the syphilis diagnostic test, although the time for the test to be sent back to health services was too long. For clinical care, availability of penicillin G benzathine and professional competence to treat pregnant women and newborns proved relevant. For health promotion, training and knowledge regarding sociocultural aspects related to syphilis proved fragile. Conclusion: The set of actions to prevent vertical transmission of syphilis found indicated partial gains, which compromises the increase in the teams’ responsiveness in the treatment of pregnant women and newborns.