Epidemiological profile of patients with congenital and gestational syphilis in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the epidemiological profile of congenital and syphilis during pregnancy in residents of São José do Rio Preto in São Paulo State. Methods: Ecological study of the epidemiological profile of patients with congenital and gestational syphilis, based on the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Information System for Notifiable Diseases) from 2007 to 2016. Results: There were 396 cases of syphilis reported in pregnant women and 290 of congenital syphilis. In 2016, the rate of detecting syphilis in pregnant women was 13.2 cases/1,000 live births, while congenital syphilis the incidence rate was 6.5 cases/1,000 live births. For gestational syphilis, 54% of the diagnosis was performed in 2nd or 3rd trimester and 85% were reported at the primary care. Adequate treatment for pregnant women occurred in 96% of the notifications with 52% of partners treated. In congenital syphilis, 82% of the mothers underwent prenatal care. However, 94% of the pregnant women were treated inadequately while 82% of the partners did not receive any treatment. Conclusions: There has been an increase in the number of cases of gestational syphilis in pregnant women and a decrease in the cases of congenital syphilis from 2014. These results showed that the goal of 0.5 case/1,000 live births proposed by World Health Organization is still far from being achieved in this city.