Seroprevalence and risk factors of syphilis infection in pregnant women delivering at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate risk factors and outcomes of syphilis during pregnancy.


METHODS
Hospital based, cross sectional study.


METHODS
Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.


METHODS
A random sample of 2 969 pregnant women.


METHODS
Syphilis seroprevalence.


RESULTS
Of the 2 969 women who provided blood samples, 4.8% were RPR positive. Approximately 2.2% of study subjects were RPR positive and TPHA negative. Notably, 2.5% of the population was RPR and TPHA positive at the time of giving birth. Older women had a higher risk of having positive syphilis status (p = 0.057). Increases in parity and gravidity were significantly associated with increased risk of syphilis infection. Prior stillbirths were associated with an increased risk of syphilis infection (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% CI, 1.61 to 7.37; p = 0.001). Syphilis positive mothers were significantly more likely to give birth to syphilis positive newborns (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that there should be more effective antenatal screening and treatment of syphilis in Harare. Syphilis affects many sub-Saharan countries where effective educational outreach, screening, and treatment should take place to prevent the transmission of this venereal disease, especially among reproductive age and pregnant women.
Pham
L
L
Department of Epidemiology ,University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Woelk
G B
GB
Ning
Y
Y
Madzime
S
S
Mudzamiri
S
S
Mahomed
K
K
Williams
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology