Sífilis em gestantes: estratégia para redução de danos e controle do pré-natal em região do município de Vila Velha - Espírito Santo

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. When detected in pregnant women, it is referred to as Gestational Syphilis, and when transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, it is classified as Congenital Syphilis. If left untreated, it can affect multiple systems in the body, resulting in neurological, bone, ocular, skin, dental, and various other complications. It is a curable infection, with treatment available through Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), and for pregnant women, treatment is administered through intramuscular injections of Benzathine Penicillin. This study aimed to develop an intervention project to reduce the number of pregnant women with untreated syphilis in the municipality of Vila Velha, specifically in the neighborhoods of Vila Mageski and Normília da Cunha, with the goal of reducing harm to both the mother and fetus, as well as decreasing postpartum hospitalizations caused by the infection. An Excel spreadsheet was created as a control tool to collect and summarize prenatal care information, with daily updates. Based on this data, strategies were developed—such as weekly phone calls to pregnant women undergoing treatment, as well as to their partners—to remind them about their doses, aiming to reduce treatment dropout. The expected outcome is an increase in the number of pregnant women completing their treatment, thereby reducing harm and complications for both mother and baby, as well as the related financial burden on the public health system.