Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of gestational syphilis in Cali, year 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational syphilis is considered an event of public health interest, due to its impact on mother and child. In Colombia, despite having specific protocols for its notification, diagnosis and management, there are still limitations in its control. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and space distribution of gestational syphilis in Cali, Colombia, 2018. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study of 427 gestational syphilis cases reported to the Colombian national epidemiological surveillance system, SIVIGILA. Statistical processing through R version 3.5.3; qualitative variables expressed as proportions and quantitative variables through central tendency and dispersion measures. Qgis version 3.0 was used for space distribution. Results: The prevalence of gestational syphilis was 17 cases per 1,000 live births (including stillbirths). 57.1% belonged to the subsidized healthcare system; 16.6% without health insurance. 90.4% were diagnosed during pregnancy. 47.2% of pregnant women received 3 doses of penicillin, yet only 57.6% of contacts received treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of gestational syphilis in Cali, 2018, exceeded the national rate, with a higher frequency among women in a socioeconomic vulnerability condition, consistent with the general spatial distribution. There is a lack of opportunity in the early detection and management of the infection, both in pregnant women and in their contacts, which makes it difficult to control the disease and reflects inadequate application of the Comprehensive MaternalPerinatal Health Care Route guidelines.