SÍFILIS NA GESTAÇÃO: PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO E CONHECIMENTO SOBREOS RISCOS DA INFECÇÃO EM UM MUNICÍPIO DA REGIÃO SUL DO BRASIL

Abstract

Syphilis is an infectious and contagious disease caused by contamination with the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Its transmission can occur sexually (acquired syphilis) and vertically through the maternal placenta that contaminates the fetus (congenital syphilis). Otherpossible forms of transmission are blood transfusion, breastfeeding and sharing of sharps. Congenital transmission can be avoided if the pregnant woman has an early diagnosis and treatment, being fundamental for this the knowledge and risk perception of this condition. The objective of this research was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of syphilis infection in pregnant women in the municipality of Guarapuava, through the historical profile in the years 2013 to 2018 and also the assessment of risk perception of pregnant women prospectively monitored during care in municipal health units , during the years 2019 and 2020. For this, the study was divided into two stages, a retrospective and a prospective one. A retrospectiveresearch was carried out by consulting official data, obtained from the Epidemiological Surveillance Service of the Municipal Health Department for the period 2013 to 2018. 144 cases of congenital syphilis were registered between the years 2013 to 2018 in the municipality of Guarapuava , with a considerable increase in 2018 (50.7%). As almost half ofthe diagnosed cases were primary syphilis (50%) and the fact that the diagnosis occurred inthe first trimester (46%), all pregnant women were treated. However, in 43% of cases the treatment of the pregnant woman's partner could not be carried out. This fact can contributeto the transmission of syphilis and suggests an important action to be considered in monitoring prenatal care in the city. In the prospective stage, 100 pregnant women from three health units were followed up. The research was cross sectional made it possible to draw a socio-demographic profile of the pregnant women who participated in the research by obtaining relevant data such as income, education, profession, age, among others; it was also possible to obtain exact answers about the level of knowledge that these women have about syphilis, its form of prevention, contamination and treatment. The vast majority of thesewomen have a steady partner and are aged between 20 and 29 years with family income ranging between one and two minimum wages. Assessing the history of reported cases, we document a recent increase in syphilis cases in pregnant women. Assessing the riskperception of pregnant women monitored in health units, it was evident that they have enough information to know about the disease and its possible implications, and also have information and access to the prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is necessary to strengthen the access to information in a broad and individual way for these pregnant women during consultations in basic health units.