Effect of the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in primary care on the syphilis in pregnancy in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of rapid tests coverage in Primary Care on syphilis detection rate in pregnant women in Brazil, in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: The dependent variable was the syphilis detection rate in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018. As the main independent variables, the methods for measuring the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in Primary Care were used and, as adjustment variables, some indicators of health services and socioeconomic. We opted for a linear regression model for panel data (panel data analysis), considering the municipality as the unit of analysis and the year as the time variable. RESULTS: From the results of the final model, we can infer that, for a given municipality, as the rate of rapid tests increases by one point for every thousand live births, the detection rate of syphilis in pregnant women increases by an average of 0.02 cases per thousand live births (p < 0.001). This value is adjusted for Family Health coverage, proportion of health facilities per inhabitant, per capita expenditure on health and the Human Development Index. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial improvement in the amount of rapid tests available, as well as a significant increase in the number of tests performed in pregnant women, which predicts an increase in syphilis rates in pregnant women. However, a worrying hypothesis is that the number of tests performed on pregnant women during the analyzed period may have been insufficient to detect the progress of the epidemic in this population.

Weaknesses in primary health care favor the growth of acquired syphilis.

Acquired syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the general population and has been growing in recent years in many countries. A study was developed aiming to analyze the trends of acquired syphilis associated with sociodemographic aspects and primary health care in Brazil, in the period from 2011 to 2019. This study used secondary data from the national notification systems of the 5570 Brazilian cities and a database of 37,350 primary health care teams, as well as socioeconomic and municipal demographic indicators. The trends of acquired syphilis at the municipal level were calculated from the log-linear regression, crossing them with variables of primary health care and sociodemographic indicators. Finally, a multiple model was built from logistic regression. 724,310 cases of acquired syphilis have been reported. In primary care units, 47.8% had partial coverage and 74.1% had health teams with poor or regular scores. 52.6% had rapid test for syphilis partially available. Male and female condoms are available in 85.9% and 62.9% respectively and 54.4% had penicillin available in the health facility. The increase in trends of acquired syphilis was associated with better availability of the rapid test; lower availability of male condoms; lower availability of female condoms; lower availability of benzathine penicillin; partial coverage of the teams in primary health care; limited application of penicillin in primary health care; higher proportion of teams classified as Poor/Regular in primary health care; higher proportion of women aged 10 to 17 years who had children; higher HDI; higher proportion of people aged 15 to 24 years who do not study, do not work and are vulnerable; and population size with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The following variables remained in the multiple model: not all primary health care teams apply penicillin; higher proportion of primary health care teams with poor/regular scores; population size >100000 inhabitants; partially available female condom. Thus, the weakness of primary health care linked to population size may have favored the growth of the acquired syphilis epidemic in Brazilian cities.

Effect of the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in primary care on the syphilis in pregnancy in Brazil / Efeito da cobertura de testes rápidos na atenção básica sobre a sífilis em gestantes no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of rapid tests coverage in Primary Care on syphilis detection rate in pregnant women in Brazil, in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: The dependent variable was the syphilis detection rate in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018. As the main independent variables, the methods for measuring the coverage of rapid tests for syphilis in Primary Care were used and, as adjustment variables, some indicators of health services and socioeconomic. We opted for a linear regression model for panel data (panel data analysis), considering the municipality as the unit of analysis and the year as the time variable. RESULTS: From the results of the final model, we can infer that, for a given municipality, as the rate of rapid tests increases by one point for every thousand live births, the detection rate of syphilis in pregnant women increases by an average of 0.02 cases per thousand live births (p < 0.001). This value is adjusted for Family Health coverage, proportion of health facilities per inhabitant, per capita expenditure on health and the Human Development Index. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial improvement in the amount of rapid tests available, as well as a significant increase in the number of tests performed in pregnant women, which predicts an increase in syphilis rates in pregnant women. However, a worrying hypothesis is that the number of tests performed on pregnant women during the analyzed period may have been insufficient to detect the progress of the epidemic in this population.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito da cobertura de testes rápidos na Atenção Básica sobre a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes no Brasil, nos municípios com mais de 100 mil habitantes. MÉTODOS: A variável dependente foi a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes entre os anos de 2012 e 2018. Como variáveis independentes principais, foram utilizados os métodos de aferição da cobertura de testes rápidos para sífilis na Atenção Básica e, como variáveis de ajuste, alguns indicadores de serviços de saúde e socioeconômicos. Optou-se por um modelo de regressão linear para dados em painel (panel data analysis), considerando o município como unidade de análise e ano como variável de tempo. RESULTADOS: Pelos resultados do modelo final, pode-se inferir que, para um determinado município, à medida que a taxa de testes rápidos aumenta em um ponto para cada mil nascidos vivos, a taxa de detecção de sífilis em gestantes aumenta em média 0,02 casos por mil nascidos vivos (p < 0,001). Esse valor está ajustado para cobertura de Saúde da Família, proporção de UBS por habitante, gastos per capita com saúde e Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma melhora substancial na quantidade de testes rápidos disponíveis, bem como, o aumento significativo de realização desses testes em gestantes, o que prediz o aumento das taxas de sífilis em gestantes. Contudo, uma hipótese preocupante é que a quantidade de testes realizados em gestantes no período analisado pode ter sido insuficiente para detectar o avanço da epidemia nessa população.

Trends of syphilis in Brazil: A growth portrait of the treponemic epidemic.

Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease with its prevalence being described since the 15th century. Although its etiological agent and also the treatment measures are widely known, syphilis is still a great public health problem worldwide, mainly in countries with limited resources associated to low investments in health primary care. The aim of the present study was to analyze the trend and regional distribution of syphilis in Brazil between 2007 and 2017. This is an ecological study using secondary data from the Brazilian notification system. The Ministry of Health selected 100 municipalities which presented the worse outcomes related to syphilis from the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities as a target for a comprehensive project in order to tackle the prevalence of syphilis, called the "No Syphilis Project". These priority municipalities represent 57.7% of syphilis cases and about one third of the Brazilian population. They were compared with other 189 non-priority municipalities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants among the Brazilian regions (North, Northeast, Southeast, South and Center-West). Polynomial regression methods and Joinpoint analyses were used to analyze the trend, from which the Annual Average Percent Change (AACP) for each time period was calculated. There was a significant growth trend in all regions for the main three forms of syphilis (in pregnancy, congenital and acquired), especially in the South. The ratio between syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis increased in both priority (AAPC: 8.54%; p<0.001) and non-priority municipalities (AAPC: 2.61%; p = 0.005), as well as in the regions, except the Center-West. High growth trends in syphilis prevalence were found in all municipalities, as well as all five regions between 2007 and 2017, showing that the challenge to reduce or even eliminate syphilis in Brazil is still difficult.

Vigilância epidemiológica de HIV/Aids em gestantes: uma avaliação acerca da qualidade da informação disponível / HIV/AIDS surveillance among pregnant women: assessing the quality of the available information

Objetivo. Analisar a qualidade da informação disponível no Sistema Nacional de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) acerca de gestantes portadoras de HIV/Aids no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, entre 2007 e 2014. Método. A qualidade da informação foi analisada através da completude (porcentagem de campos preenchidos com valores não nulos) dos dados de notificação (dados sociodemográficos, antecedentes epidemiológicos maternos, dados sobre o pré-natal e o parto) e da existência de dissonância entre as fontes de dados analisadas (secretarias municipais de saúde de Natal e Mossoró, secretaria estadual de saúde e DATASUS). A completude foi classificada em excelente (>90% de campos com valores não nulos), regular (70%-89%) e ruim (<70%). A dissonância foi considerada presente quando houve diferença entre as fontes quanto ao número de mulheres em idade fértil portadoras de HIV/Aids. Resultados. No período do estudo foram notificados à secretaria estadual 492 casos de gestantes com HIV/Aids. Considerando-se os 19 campos analisados na ficha de notificação, a completude foi regular ou ruim em 11 (72%) campos. A completude foi excelente na maioria das variáveis sociodemográficas, mas foi regular ou ruim na maioria dos campos relacionados ao pré-natal e ao parto. Houve dissonância entre o número de mulheres em idade fértil portadoras de HIV/Aids, com 482 mulheres registradas no DATASUS, 616 na Secretaria Estadual de Saúde e 663 nas secretarias municipais de saúde. Conclusão. Há deficiências na qualidade da informação acerca de gestantes e mulheres portadoras de HIV/Aids, sendo necessário investir em infraestrutura e estímulo à qualificação permanente dos profissionais envolvidos na notificação.

Objective. To analyze the quality of the information available in the Reportable Disease Information System (SINAN) regarding pregnant women with HIV/AIDS in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between 2007 and 2014. Method. The quality of information was analyzed based on completeness (percentage of fields containing values that were not null) of fields (sociodemographic information, epidemiologic maternal history, pre-natal care, and delivery) and on the existence of discrepancy between the data sources analyzed (Natal and Mossoró municipal departments of health, state department of health, and Unified Health System information database, DATASUS). Completeness was classified as excellent (>90% of fields with values that are not null), regular (70%-89%), and poor (<70%). Dissonance was verified in the presence of differences between the sources regarding the number of pregnant women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS reported during the study period. Results. In the study period, the State Department of Health recorded 492 cases of pregnant women with HIV/AIDS. Considering the 19 fields of the notification form, completeness was regular or poor in 11 (72%) fields. Completeness was excellent for most sociodemographic variables, but was regular or poor for most fields relating to pre-natal care and delivery. There was dissonance between the sources regarding the number of women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS, with 482 women reported by DATASUS, 616 by the state department of health, and 663 by the municipal departments of health. Conclusions. The quality of the information regarding pregnant women/women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS is deficient. Investment in infrastructure and continued qualification of the professionals involved in reporting could help improve the quality of information.

Vigilância epidemiológica de HIV/Aids em gestantes: uma avaliação acerca da qualidade da informação disponível / HIV/AIDS surveillance among pregnant women: assessing the quality of the available information

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a qualidade da informação disponível no Sistema Nacional de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) acerca de gestantes portadoras de HIV/Aids no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, entre 2007 e 2014. Método A qualidade da informação foi analisada através da completude (porcentagem de campos preenchidos com valores não nulos) dos dados de notificação (dados sociodemográficos, antecedentes epidemiológicos maternos, dados sobre o pré-natal e o parto) e da existência de dissonância entre as fontes de dados analisadas (secretarias municipais de saúde de Natal e Mossoró, secretaria estadual de saúde e DATASUS). A completude foi classificada em excelente (>90% de campos com valores não nulos), regular (70%-89%) e ruim (<70%). A dissonância foi considerada presente quando houve diferença entre as fontes quanto ao número de mulheres em idade fértil portadoras de HIV/Aids. Resultados No período do estudo foram notificados à secretaria estadual 492 casos de gestantes com HIV/Aids. Considerando-se os 19 campos analisados na ficha de notificação, a completude foi regular ou ruim em 11 (72%) campos. A completude foi excelente na maioria das variáveis sociodemográficas, mas foi regular ou ruim na maioria dos campos relacionados ao pré-natal e ao parto. Houve dissonância entre o número de mulheres em idade fértil portadoras de HIV/Aids, com 482 mulheres registradas no DATASUS, 616 na Secretaria Estadual de Saúde e 663 nas secretarias municipais de saúde. Conclusão Há deficiências na qualidade da informação acerca de gestantes e mulheres portadoras de HIV/Aids, sendo necessário investir em infraestrutura e estímulo à qualificação permanente dos profissionais envolvidos na notificação.

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the quality of the information available in the Reportable Disease Information System (SINAN) regarding pregnant women with HIV/AIDS in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between 2007 and 2014. Method The quality of information was analyzed based on completeness (percentage of fields containing values that were not null) of fields (sociodemographic information, epidemiologic maternal history, pre-natal care, and delivery) and on the existence of discrepancy between the data sources analyzed (Natal and Mossoró municipal departments of health, state department of health, and Unified Health System information database, DATASUS). Completeness was classified as excellent (>90% of fields with values that are not null), regular (70%-89%), and poor (<70%). Dissonance was verified in the presence of differences between the sources regarding the number of pregnant women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS reported during the study period. Results In the study period, the State Department of Health recorded 492 cases of pregnant women with HIV/AIDS. Considering the 19 fields of the notification form, completeness was regular or poor in 11 (72%) fields. Completeness was excellent for most sociodemographic variables, but was regular or poor for most fields relating to pre-natal care and delivery. There was dissonance between the sources regarding the number of women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS, with 482 women reported by DATASUS, 616 by the state department of health, and 663 by the municipal departments of health. Conclusions The quality of the information regarding pregnant women/women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS is deficient. Investment in infrastructure and continued qualification of the professionals involved in reporting could help improve the quality of information.

[HIV/AIDS surveillance among pregnant women: assessing the quality of the available information]. / Vigilância epidemiológica de HIV/Aids em gestantes: uma avaliação acerca da qualidade da informação disponível.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of the information available in the Reportable Disease Information System (SINAN) regarding pregnant women with HIV/AIDS in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between 2007 and 2014. METHOD: The quality of information was analyzed based on completeness (percentage of fields containing values that were not null) of fields (sociodemographic information, epidemiologic maternal history, pre-natal care, and delivery) and on the existence of discrepancy between the data sources analyzed (Natal and Mossoró municipal departments of health, state department of health, and Unified Health System information database, DATASUS). Completeness was classified as excellent (>90% of fields with values that are not null), regular (70%-89%), and poor (<70%). Dissonance was verified in the presence of differences between the sources regarding the number of pregnant women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS reported during the study period. RESULTS: In the study period, the State Department of Health recorded 492 cases of pregnant women with HIV/AIDS. Considering the 19 fields of the notification form, completeness was regular or poor in 11 (72%) fields. Completeness was excellent for most sociodemographic variables, but was regular or poor for most fields relating to pre-natal care and delivery. There was dissonance between the sources regarding the number of women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS, with 482 women reported by DATASUS, 616 by the state department of health, and 663 by the municipal departments of health. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the information regarding pregnant women/women of reproductive age with HIV/AIDS is deficient. Investment in infrastructure and continued qualification of the professionals involved in reporting could help improve the quality of information.