Incidence of syphilis in pregnant women in Valparaíso de Goiás

Abstract

Caused by Treponema pallidum, syphilis is a disease caused both sexually (acquired syphilis) and vertically (congenital syphilis) via a mother’s placenta to a fetus, with the manifestation of symptoms such as small sores on the genital organs, which disappear spontaneously and do not leave scars; swollen glands and swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, red spots on the skin, lining of the mouth, palms and soles. The objective of this research was to analyze the incidence of syphilis in pregnant women in the city of Valparaiso de Goiás. This is both a quantitative and qualitative study, which applied questionnaires to pregnant women. We observed that women living in poor neighborhoods with an income of up to one minimum wage, who do not have access to information on sexually transmitted diseases are more likely to contract syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Male partners’ refusal to undergo medical treatment significantly affects the treatment of their companions. In terms of its method of transmission and symptoms, Syphilis is still an unknown disease by the population. Such lack of knowledge about the disease prevents many persons from being diagnosed during its early stages.