Trends in Syphilis Partner Services Outcomes Among Women in 8 US Jurisdictions, 2015-2022

Health departments prioritize reproductive-aged women for syphilis partner services (PS) to prevent congenital syphilis (CS). We assessed trends in PS effectiveness among women.

We classified reported syphilis cases (all stages) between 2015 and 2022 from 8 US jurisdictions as nonpregnant women (NPW) older than 45 years ("non-reproductive-aged NPW," a group sometimes not assigned for PS), NPW aged between 15 and 45 years ("reproductive-aged NPW"), pregnant women without a CS outcome ("pregnant no CS"), and pregnant women with a CS outcome ("pregnant and CS"). We compared trends in the yearly proportion within each group who reported partners and whose partners were treated (preventatively or if infected, before or due to PS).

During 2015-2022, annual counts of syphilis increased (non-reproductive-aged NPW, +151.5%; reproductive-aged NPW, +208.0%; pregnant no CS, +160.4%; pregnant and CS, +559.3%). Overall, 88% of women were assigned for PS, >90% of assigned cases were interviewed, and >94% of interviewed cases were treated. Across groups, the proportion interviewed naming ≥1 locatable partner was higher in 2015 compared with 2022 (non-reproductive-aged NPW, 53.3%-36.3%; reproductive-aged NPW, 68.6%-42.8%; pregnant no CS, 80.8%-65.0%; pregnant and CS, 73.6%-47.0%), and the proportion with ≥1 partner treated was higher (non-reproductive-aged NPW, 31.3%-21.7%; reproductive-aged NPW, 43.7%-24.9%; pregnant no CS, 53.0%-38.0%; pregnant and CS, 41.5%-23.4%).

As syphilis increased, health departments reached most women with syphilis and assured treatment. A decreasing proportion of women reported locatable partners. Integration of PS with other strategies is needed to prevent reinfection and syphilis transmission in women.