Knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding the vertical transmission of syphilis in Fortaleza -CE, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of family health strategy professionals regarding the prevention and control of the vertical transmission of syphilis. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from August to October 2009. A questionnaire was used, with its correct answers being in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. Univariate analysis was carried out, with frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. A total of 269 professionals participated, 44.7% had 6 to 10 years of experience in the FHS, and 60% of the questions regarding their knowledge were answered correctly: 75.8% were aware of the request period of the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test; 78.1% of the alternative drug for the treatment for pregnant women allergic to penicillin, 55.1% of the request period for VDRL for cure and control, and 50.2% of the conduct with a sexual partner. It was concluded that healthcare professionals are unaware of the appropriate actions for the prevention and control of congenital syphilis. KEYWORDS:Syphilis. Congenital syphilis. Pregnant women. Family health strategy. Knowledge. CONHECIMENTO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE ACERCA DA TRANSMISSÃO VERTICAL DA SÍFILIS EM FORTALEZA-CE, BRASILRESUMO: Objetivou-se verificar o conhecimento de profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre ações de prevenção e controle da transmissão vertical da sífilis. Estudo transversal, em Fortaleza-CE, Brasil, de agosto a outubro de 2009. Utilizou-se questionário autoaplicado, considerando respostas corretas aquelas consoante às recomendações do Ministério da Saúde. Utilizou-se análise univariada, com distribuições de frequências, médias e desvios padrão. Participaram 269 profissionais, 44,7% com seis a dez anos de atuação na saúde da família; 60% das perguntas foram respondidas corretamente sobre o conhecimento destes da seguinte forma: 75,8% conheciam o período de solicitação do exame Venereal Disease Research Laboratory; 78,1%, a droga alternativa para tratamento da gestante alérgica à penicilina; 55,1% a periodicidade de solicitação do VDRL para controle de cura; e 50,2%, a conduta diante do parceiro sexual. Os profissionais de saúde pesquisados não detinham conhecimento adequado acerca das ações preventivas e do controle da sífilis congênita.PALAVRAS CHAVE: Sífilis. Sífilis congênita. Gestantes. Saúde da família. Conhecimento. CONOCIMIENTOS DE LOS PROFESIONALES DE SALUD SOBRE LA TRANSMISIÓN VERTICAL DE LA SÍFILIS EN FORTALEZA-CE, BRASILRESUMEN: El objetivo fue verificar el conocimiento de profesionales de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia, con relación a las acciones de prevención y control de la transmisión de la sífilis. Estudio transversal, en Fortaleza-CE, Brasil, realizado de agosto a octubre/2009. Se utilizó cuestionario autoaplicado, se consideró como respuestas aquellas que eran consonantes con las recomendaciones del Ministerio de Salud. Se utilizó el análisis univariado, con distribuciones de frecuencias, medias y desviaci...

Educational intervention in Primary Care for the prevention of congenital syphilis

“…These options were consciously made, considering that all health professionals who attended syphilis diagnosis and management workshops adhered to the project and were closely monitored by regional health managers who provided support throughout the ongoing education process, which still continues. Other researches used the same method and concluded that skill development after training is statistically significant when compared to the control group and that skills are largely maintained six months after training 14 , 25 .…”

“…It is emphasized that vertical transmission causes serious consequences to these newborn infants, due to the failures in primary prevention 13 - 14 , which have sequelae (largely irreversible), as well as prematurity 7 , 10 and put a burden on the health system 20 - 21 . The understanding of the healthcare network organization with reference institutions directed to the pediatric infectious diseases outpatient clinic and the counter-referral from the maternity to the UBS by e-mail, probably influenced the absence of syphilis infant mortality in the two years following the intervention (2014 and 2015), as a result of improved pre- and postnatal care.…”

Management of syphilis in pregnancy: Knowledge and practices of health care providers and barriers to the control of disease in Teresina, Brazil

“…From the professional practice criteria, in addition to the failures in treatment of partners, there was low compliance in the cure control of pregnant women with less opportunity to identify failures in the treatment of pregnant women. Inadequate control of the treatment of pregnant women has also been reported by Silva and Campos in studies in the state of Ceará/Brazil.…”

“…Previous studies conducted in Brazil and in other countries have used knowledge of health professionals and/or practice evaluation to verify barriers to syphilis control. Knowledge gaps have been identified, as well as cultural aspects, difficulties related to testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and logistical problems related to the organisation of services .…”

Knowledge and Compliance in Practices in Diagnosis and Treatment of Syphilis in Maternity Hospitals in Teresina - PI, Brazil

“…In a study conducted in the city of Fortaleza in 2009, approximately half of the nurses did not know how to treat a pregnant woman with a VDRL test titer of 1:1. 15 In another study conducted in the same city and year, 51% of the nurses prescribed the correct dose for secondary syphilis, and 41% knew the correct 7-day interval between doses. 16 The treatment practices for syphilis reported by the obstetricians showed variable agreement according to the stage of the disease.…”