Abstract

SEROPREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING PLATEAU SPECIALIST HOSPITAL JOS, NIGERIA

Ede Folashade Rebecca, Sheyin Zakka, *Essien Unyime Cosmas, Bigwan Emmanuel Isa, Obiwelozor Ezinne Emmanuella

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is a systematic disease of public health of importance because of its adverse impact on pregnancy outcome. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence rate of syphilis among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics at Plateau specialist hospital Jos in Nigeria. Methodology: Serum specimens from 164 consenting pregnant women were screened for Treponema pallidum infection using rapid test strip and positive samples confirmed using ELISA technique. The biodata of study participants were obtain using questionnaires. Results: Out of 164 pregnant women recruited for the study, three samples were positive 3 (1.8%) for syphilis using rapid test strip. The three (3) positive sample were subjected to ELISA test, after wish two 2 (1.2%) were confirmed positive. Regarding prevalence in relation to history of STI, the rate of infection 1(1.9%) was higher in women with history of STI than those 1(0.9%) without history of STI. Conclusion: The present study has established a 1.2% prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos. Nigeria. Despite the low prevalence, we advocate continuous screening of pregnant women because early diagnosis and treatment could prevent mother to child transmission.

Keywords: Syphilis, pregnancy outcome, seroprevalence.