Nursing strategies to promote adherence to syphilis treatment in pregnant women and their partners

Abstract

Objective: To identify nursing strategies that promote adherence to syphilis treatment in pregnant women and their partners within the context of primary health care. Methods: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Capes journal portal databases, covering publications from 2013 to 2025. The review followed a systematic approach for selecting, analyzing, and synthesizing the most relevant studies on the topic. Results: The analysis of the nine selected articles reveals that active case finding of pregnant women and their partners, expanded access to rapid syphilis testing, health education using accessible and culturally sensitive language, and the timely provision of benzathine penicillin are effective nursing strategies. Furthermore, structural and institutional actions, such as updated clinical protocols, effective communication, and the continuous education and training of healthcare professionals, are crucial for ensuring proper and comprehensive treatment. Final considerations: The study highlights the key role of nursing due to its close interaction with users and its ability to coordinate integrated and patient-centered care. Nursing practice is fundamental to the development of a care pathway that enables adequate, humanized, and timely treatment of syphilis in primary care settings.