SPACE-TIME ANALYSIS OF SYPHILIS NOTIFICATIONS IN THE CITY OF GOVERNADOR VALADARES-MG

Abstract

Introduction – Syphilis is a Sexually Transmitted Infection caused by the bacterium Treponema palidum. The disease, in Brazil, is a public health problem, affecting more than 1 million Brazilians in the last 10 years. Syphilis is classified as acquired, gestational and congenital. Objective – Aiming at the high rates of new cases and the severity of the pathology, this study aims to discuss the distribution of cases of acquired, gestational and congenital syphilis in Governador Valadares (GV) from 2013 to 2022. Methodology – This is of a descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study based on data collected from TABNET, in the State of Minas Gerais, and DATASUS. Articles from the PubMed and Scielo databases from the last 7 years were used. Results – The number of reported cases of the three types of syphilis in GV led the city to occupy a position among the four cities in the state with the highest rates. During 2020 the numbers reduced, which is consistent with the pandemic context, but in 2021 the rates rose again. The rates in men, mixed race, with completed high school, tend to be higher, covering the age range from 20 to 39 years. Furthermore, there is a large number of incomplete forms with data ignored during filling. Conclusion – It was noted that factors such as risky sexual behavior and deficiencies in control programs may be reasons for the high rate of Syphilis in the city. Furthermore, failures to fill out patient records make it difficult to understand the real situation of the disease.