Epidemiological and spatial analysis of congenital syphilis in a health region of Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Background

Congenital syphilis (CS) remains a challenge and its occurrence exposes flaws in Brazilian health services.

Objective

analyze the association between CS incidence and maternal variables, prenatal care, sociodemographic variables and health service coverage indicators, employing spatial analysis, in a region of the Brazilian Northeast.

Method

Analytical mixed ecological study, with a population composed of all CS cases in the health region between 2010 to 2017, totaling 522 cases.

Results

Two towns presented the highest incidence rates for CS spatial distribution. Global Moran’s I presented a positive spatial association and the Moran and Lisa maps were plotted. The autoregressive spatial coefficient was statistically significant, as well as the variables “Illiteracy rate > 15 years old”, “Diagnosis of maternal syphilis during prenatal”, “treatment plan not completed” and “Annual average for estimated population coverage of ESF”.

Conclusion

The information presented is relevant for planning and undertaking monitoring of vertical syphilis transmission, targeting resources for more vulnerable areas, and aiming to improve epidemiological outcomes for CS.

Keywords:
congenital syphilis; incidence; spatial analysis