Assessment of syphilis infection among pregnant women and its associated risk factors at Sovu health center in Rwanda

Abstract

Syphilis in pregnant women caused by Treponema pallidum remains a major cause of reproductive morbidity and poor pregnancy outcomes in developing countries. Severe neonatal infections, stillbirths, perinatal deaths, and low birth weight babies are common among mothers with syphilis infection. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated to syphilis in pregnant women. A cross-sectional and retrospective studies were conducted among pregnant women who attended the prenatal service at the Gisovu health center. Participants were pregnant women who tested positive for syphilis based on lab results and responses collected from anonymous questionnaires completed with sexual behaviors, demographics, sexual partners, history of abortion, and knowledge about STDs. The prevalence of syphilis was 5.74%. Syphilis was associated to the history of previous abortion (P = 0.005 < 0.05), a low level of education (P = 0.049 < 0.05), and marital status (P = 0.044 < 0.05). The main associated behavioral factor was women who had sex with different partners using condom and did not acquire syphilis infection (P = 0.00 < 0.05). Syphilis is still a public health concern in patients and especially in pregnant women as shown by the findings of this study. It is very important to screen all pregnant women for syphilis and to strengthen the existing antenatal care services and health education on transmission and prevention of the disease.