Prevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic, Sede Muja District, South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Getachew Yideg Yitbarek,Belete Achamyelew Ayele

doi:10.1155/2019/1584527

Getachew Yideg Yitbarek, Belete Achamyelew Ayele

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1584527

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Abstract

Background Syphilis is a disease caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Major rout of transmission of this bacterium was through sexual and contact with mucocutaneous lesion. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can greatly affect pregnancy outcome, resulting in spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. Objective The objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care unit at Sede Muja district, Northern Ethiopia. Methods and Materials Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 in two health centers from Sede Muja district, Northwest Ethiopia. The study included a total of 210 participants. The entire participants were recruited by systematic random sampling method after proportional allocation of the sample size in the two health centers. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected by semistructured questioner. Two milliliter of blood was collected to determine seroprevalence of syphilis using VDRL test method. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21. The association between independent and dependent variables was determined using chi-square. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result Seroprevalence of syphilis was found to be 1.9% (95 CI, 0.5-3.5%). Women with multiple sexual partners and late trimester of pregnancy during first ANC visit were found to be significantly associated with seropositive syphilis. Conclusion Syphilis remains a major problem in the study area. Seroprevalence of syphilis was significantly associated with women who have multiple sexual partners and late first ANC visit attendees in the study area. Therefore it is recommended to give health education about syphilis etiology and transmission as well as creating awareness about the importance of early ANC visit and follow-up regarding syphilis prevention.

Highlights

Syphilis is a systemic disease caused by Treponema pallidum which can be spread by sexual contact, blood transfusion, and vertical transmission which is a classical example of a disease that can be successfully controlled by effective public health measures due to the availability of a sound diagnostic test and effective and economical treatment options
In Zambia, 24% of all stillbirth could be attributed to syphilis and congenital syphilis was implicated in 30% of all perinatal mortality [4]
Syphilis seropositive cases were observed among married women who were housewives by occupation and those who come from rural areas

Summary

Introduction

Syphilis is a systemic disease caused by Treponema pallidum which can be spread by sexual contact, blood transfusion, and vertical transmission which is a classical example of a disease that can be successfully controlled by effective public health measures due to the availability of a sound diagnostic test and effective and economical treatment options. The objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care unit at Sede Muja district, Northern Ethiopia. Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 in two health centers from Sede Muja district, Northwest Ethiopia. Two milliliter of blood was collected to determine seroprevalence of syphilis using VDRL test method. Women with multiple sexual partners and late trimester of pregnancy during first ANC visit were found to be significantly associated with seropositive syphilis. Seroprevalence of syphilis was significantly associated with women who have multiple sexual partners and late first ANC visit attendees in the study area. It is recommended to give health education about syphilis etiology and transmission as well as creating awareness about the importance of early ANC visit and follow-up regarding syphilis prevention

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