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Congenital Syphilis Prevention Challenges, Pacific Coast of Colombia, 2018-2022
Insights
Congenital syphilis prevention was missed in over half of mothers due to lack of screening and treatment. Social vulnerability and late prenatal care access increased risks for newborns in Colombia.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Congenital syphilis presents a significant public health challenge, with high incidences reported along Colombia's Pacific coast.
- Timely screening and treatment of maternal syphilis are crucial for preventing vertical transmission to newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the missed opportunities for preventing congenital syphilis in pregnant women in Buenaventura, Colombia.
- To identify factors associated with inadequate syphilis screening and treatment among pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing data from 3,378 pregnant women at a public hospital in Buenaventura, Colombia (2018-2022).
- Evaluation of syphilis screening rates, treatment adherence, and association with maternal social vulnerability and prenatal care access.
Main Results:
- Over half of mothers (53.1%) missed the opportunity for congenital syphilis prevention due to lack of syphilis screening.
- Maternal social vulnerability and delayed prenatal care access were linked to fewer screening tests, increasing congenital syphilis risk.
- A significant proportion (41.5%) of syphilis-positive patients did not receive treatment, further elevating the risk of congenital syphilis.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need to enhance syphilis screening and treatment services for pregnant women in the region.
- Targeted interventions are required for socially vulnerable pregnant populations to reduce congenital syphilis rates.
- Improving access to prenatal care and syphilis testing is essential for preventing congenital syphilis in high-incidence areas.
Abstract:
High incidences of congenital syphilis have been reported in areas along the Pacific coast of Colombia. In this retrospective study, conducted during 2018-2022 at a public hospital in Buenaventura, Colombia, we analyzed data from 3,378 pregnant women. The opportunity to prevent congenital syphilis was missed in 53.1% of mothers because of the lack of syphilis screening. Characteristics of higher maternal social vulnerability and late access to prenatal care decreased the probability of having >1 syphilis screening test, thereby increasing the probability of having newborns with congenital syphilis. In addition, the opportunity to prevent congenital syphilis was missed in 41.5% of patients with syphilis because of the lack of treatment, which also increased the probability of having newborns with congenital syphilis. We demonstrate the urgent need to improve screening and treatment capabilities for maternal syphilis, particularly among pregnant women who are more socially vulnerable.
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