Antenatal syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa

Missed opportunities for mortality reduction

Bibliographic Data

ID15127231
AuthorsStephen Gloyd (0000-0001-7017-8750, University of Washington, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume16
Issue1
Pages29-34
Publication date2001-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/16.1.29
PMID11238427
OpenAlexW2132868804
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited1

PURPOSE: Between 4-15% of pregnant women are believed to be infected with syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa. Active infection with syphilis in pregnant women results in foetal or infant death or disability for 50-80% of affected pregnancies, and is a major cause of adult morbidity as well. Antenatal syphilis screening is cheap and effective; however, it is often poorly implemented in countries with high syphilis risk. This study sought to estimate the missed opportunities for antenatal syphilis screening in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 22 ministries of health in sub-Saharan Africa, complemented by data from published sources and key informants. Informants described their country's policies and experience with antenatal syphilis screening and estimated their national syphilis screening rates. FINDINGS: Seventy-three percent of women are reported by WHO to receive antenatal care in the study countries. Of women in antenatal care, 38% were estimated by survey respondents to be screened for syphilis. Costs and the organization of services were the principal reported obstacles to screening. With syphilis seroprevalence estimated at 8.3%, approximately 1 640 000 pregnant women with syphilis are undetected annually, including 1 030 000 women who attend antenatal care. DISCUSSION: Syphilis testing and treatment is a cost-effective intervention that deserves much greater attention, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and other countries where syphilis infection is high.

Child mortality · Congenital syphilis · Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Family medicine · Fetus · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Infant mortality · Perinatal mortality · Population · Pregnancy · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Syphilis · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Reproductive tract infections research · Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment