Article Text
Abstract
Background The programme of STD/AIDS in the state of São Paulo has been implementing several actions toward to control and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI): - congenital syphilis elimination plan, - access to diagnosis and treatment of acquired syphilis; - availability of syphilis rapid test in STD clinics. The report of syphilis confirmed cases was included in the Brazilian surveillance notification system since 2010, but the surveillance of STIs in the state of São Paulo began in 1998. The objective of this study is to describe the occurrence of syphilis cases reported in the state of São Paulo.
Methods It was performed a series of all cases reported in the state of São Paulo from 1998 to June 2012.
Results From 2007 42,965 cases were reported, 59% were male, 37% young adults, 45% had schooling up to 8 years; 49% self-reported their race/ethnicity as white. From 1998 to 2003 4124 cases were reported, 1447 in 2006, and 10,022 cases in 2011. The number of cases increased approximately 7 times from 2006 to 2011. It was found an increase of 132% (586/2007–1363/2011) in the number of services which has sent the syphilis notification.
Conclusion There was a significant increase of syphilis cases reported during this period analysed in the state of Sao Paulo. This result could be explained for: - inclusion of this condition on the national list of notification, - adherence of surveillance teams to the syphilis notification, - increase of syphilis rapid test in STD services. The increase in the number of health facilities as well as the number of cases could reflect in part the positive impact of actions implemented by the state programme.
- prevention KL01
- surveillance
- Syphilis