Gestational syphilis and associated factors in public hospitals of Peru during 2000-2010

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the epidemiological profile of gestational syphilis and associated factors in a Peruvian population. Materials and methods. The study is a secondary analysis of data obtained from public hospitals in Peru for the 2000-2010 period. 652,636 pregnant women were included from 37 cities and 45 health centers in Peru. Results. The prevalence of gestational syphilis was 0.7%, while 80.7% reported screening for gestational syphilis. The highest prevalence of maternal syphilis is found in the lowland rainforest followed by the highland rainforest. In the three regions of Peru decreased prevalence of gestational syphilis has been seen throughout the years. The prevalence for 2010 are 0.2% on the coast, in the highlands 0.23% and 0.47% in the jungle. The lack of education and prenatal care, high parity, cohabiting or single, and living in the jungle, are associated with having a positive syphilis test. Conclusions. The results suggests that prevalence of gestational syphilis has declined over the decade 2000-2010.