High seroprevalence of syphilis infection among pregnant women in Yiregalem hospital southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Despite availability of effective treatment and the implementation of focused antenatal care (ANC), still the prevalence of syphilis persists in Ethiopia. Yet, data is not found in southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of syphilis among pregnant women in Yiregalem Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women from October 2015 to August 2016. Data on socio-demography and obstetric conditions of pregnant women were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum samples were screened for syphilis using rapid plasma regain (RPR) test and those found seropositive were further confirmed by Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) test following the manufacturer’s instruction. HIV results were reviewed from records. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. RESULTS: Of 494 pregnant women, 204(41.3%) were first ANC visit attenders. Of these, 123(60.3%) were after the 12th gestational week. Sero-prevalence of syphilis and HIV was found to be 5.1% (25/494; 95 CI, 3.2-7.1%) and 10.3% (51/494; 95 CI, 7.7-13.2%), respectively. The overall prevalence of syphilis and HIV co-infection was 2.2% (11/494). Women with HIV infection were significantly more likely to be syphilis-seropositive (AOR = 10.3, 95%CI, 4.213-25.185) than HIV negatives. CONCLUSIONS: High seroprevalence of syphilis particularly among HIV positive women and late first ANC visit attenders in the study area calls for further ramping up of current intervention measures. Like integration of syphilis testing and treatment to the already established HIV prevention program and creating awareness about early ANC visit and follow-up.