Incidence of Nontreponemal Reactive Test in Women at Childbirth in a Maternity Facility in the Central Region of Rondonia State, Brazil

Background: Syphilis is an infectious sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochaeta Treponema pallidum. This disease is still a problem in public health, particularly in developing countries.

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the incidence of syphilis in women at childbirth in a maternity facility in the city of Ji-Paraná, state of Rondonia in Brazil.

Study Design: An analytical, cross-sectional, prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (CEULJI/ULBRA) and the public maternity facility of the Ji-Paraná city, between August 2 to October 2, 2014.

Methodology: We investigated a total of 300 pregnant women at childbirth. When VDRL test was positive a semi-structured interview was administered.

Results: We found 5 women (1.66%) with VDRL positive tests, however only one newborn, whose mother did not perform prenatal or therapy care, had a significant serology titration according to Brazilian diagnostic guidelines. Diagnosed women in this research were all adults with an average of 21.8±2.8 years of age, with basic education, married, and low income.

Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of VDRL positive tests in women at childbirth was similar to that reported in the latest studies in Brazil. However, the results found in this study show that Brazilian Unified Health System is far from the established goal for 2015 and strongly suggests that it may not be reached.