CONGENITAL SYPHILIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF VITÓRIA DA CONQUISTA FROM 2012 TO 2021: A COMPARATIVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the incidence of congenital syphilis in the municipality of Vitória da Conquista-BA between 2012 and 2021, comparing the results with the macro-regions of Bahia. Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted vertically from mother to fetus, configuring congenital syphilis—a condition of major public health relevance due to maternal and fetal complications. This quantitative, cross-sectional study used data from DATASUS (TabNet), organized and analyzed in Excel for percentage evaluation of cases. During the period, Vitória da Conquista recorded 340 cases, with an increase in incidence from 0.5% (2 cases) in 2012 to 4% (14 cases) in 2021. In comparison, other regions presented significant numbers, such as Salvador (4,453 cases), Feira de Santana (1,112), Ilhéus (828), Teixeira de Freitas (849), Juazeiro (469), Barreiras (250), Alagoinhas (187), and Jacobina (306). The analysis shows a gradual growth in cases, peaking in 2018 and declining from 2019 onward, raising questions about whether the decrease resulted from greater prevention or underreporting. It is concluded that congenital syphilis remains a challenge, requiring continuous surveillance, expansion of prenatal coverage, sexual education, and access to proper treatment.