MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS OF ACQUIRED SYPHILIS IN BRAZIL: A HYPOTHETICAL-DEDUCTIVE STUDY FROM CASCAVEL TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Abstract

Acquired syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection with a significant impact on public health, particularly due to its potential for severe complications in advanced stages and the availability of effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study aims to analyze epidemiological data related to acquired syphilis in the municipality of Cascavel (Paraná State, Brazil), comparing them with records from the Western Macroregion of Paraná and from Brazil as a whole between the years of 2019 and 2023. The analysis seeks to identify patterns of variation in disease incidence across different geographical scales and to assess the possible interferences that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on acquired syphilis data during the reported periods. It was observed that the cases of acquired syphilis decreased between 2019-2020, progressively increasing and surpassing pre-pandemic levels in the years 2021-2023. This epidemiological pattern is attributed to the decreased functioning of the notification system, resulting in underdiagnosis, a real reduction in cases, and erroneous diagnoses during the pandemic between 2019 and 2020, which may lead to a buildup of cases in subsequent years.