Open AccessEpidemiological profile, spatial distribution, and syphilis time series: a cross-sectional study in a Brazilian municipality
Author(s) -
Carolina Matteussi Lino,
Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa,
Marília Jesus Batista
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of infection in developing countries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.322
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2036-6590
pISSN - 1972-2680
DOI - 10.3855/jidc.13780
Subject(s) - syphilis , epidemiology , medicine , public health , incidence (geometry) , cross sectional study , population , environmental health , congenital syphilis , demography , pediatrics , family medicine , pathology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , physics , sociology , optics
Syphilis is an infectious disease of bacterial nature, acting on organs and/or systems. The increase in the number of cases worldwide has been of concern and the infection has been considered a public health problem. Given this scenario, this study evaluates the epidemiological profile, spatial distribution, and time series of the cases of acquired syphilis, syphilis in pregnant women, and congenital syphilis in a Brazilian municipality.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study with second data of the notified cases. For the definition of the population universe, an initial survey of syphilis cases notified in the municipality was carried out, from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017.
Results: There was an increase in the notified cases and the detection/incidence rates of syphilis. The epidemiological profile was composed of men (76.7%), adults (24.8%), white (60.4%), with eight or more years of study (53.7%) in addition to pregnant adolescents (36.7%) and young adults (26.0%), with inadequate treatment and untreated partners. A concentration of cases was identified in the regions with the lowest monthly income and the time series showed an increasing trend (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusions: Health actions should continue to improve access to diagnosis and to notification, focusing on treatment, cure and health education actions to control and prevent new cases.