title: [Epidemiology of gestational syphilis in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil: an uncontrolled disease].
abstract: This cross-sectional study investigated the epidemiological profile of pregnant women with positive VDRL in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil, in 2008. The study verified the proportion of pregnant women with syphilis that was classified as treated incorrectly according to Brazilian Ministry of Health guidelines, and assessed the reasons for inadequate treatment. Fifty-eight women who had given birth at five public maternity hospitals were interviewed consecutively following delivery. Data were also recovered from medical files and pregnancy cards. Sociodemographic and obstetric data and information related to the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in both pregnant women and their partners were analyzed. Only three (5.2%; 95%CI: 1.8%-14.1%) pregnant women had received adequate treatment. The main reason for inadequate treatment was lack of partner treatment (88% of cases; 95%CI: 76.2%-94.4%). Medical care as currently provided does not guarantee the control of gestational syphilis in this sample.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brasil. ninaacampos@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Luiza de Araujo
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Maria Alix Leite
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Simone Paes de
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Marcelo Luiz Carvalho
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult