Pregnant women and Syphilis, what is known about the disease reality in a municipality in Amapá

Abstract

Objective: To identify pregnant women's knowledge about gestational syphilis and its consequences for the woman and the fetus. Methods: Descriptive, exploratory, quantitative study with analysis of descriptive statistics and statistical tests. The sample consisted of 65 pregnant and postpartum women, and data collection occurred through a structured form with 21 closed questions. The Chi-square association test with Fisher's correction was applied to evaluate associations between the questions. Results: It was observed that most participants were between 20 and 29 years old and had completed high school. Where 50.8% did not know what syphilis is, 84.6% were unaware of its symptoms and 72.3% did not know the risks for pregnancy, 23.1% did not perform the rapid test during prenatal care and only 4.6% reported a positive result. Only 30.8% received guidance on STIs during consultations, and 32.3% reported that their partners had taken the test. Conclusion: The study highlights a lack of information among pregnant women, especially adolescents and women with low levels of education. The importance of intensifying educational actions, training professionals for an effective approach in prenatal care, and involving partners in prevention strategies to reduce congenital syphilis is highlighted.