PREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE CLINIC AT JINJA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL.A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Introduction

Syphilis infection among pregnant women has been and still is a threat in Uganda and the world at large. The objectives of the study aimed at assessing the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

 Study method

A descriptive cross-sectional study of quantitative approaches was conducted among a simple random sample of 85 pregnant women from September to October 2023. A questionnaire was used to collect information about the demographic factors and various risk factors associated with syphilis infection. The blood samples collected were tested for syphilis using the Rapid Plasma Reagan (RPR) test and results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and presented in the forms of tables, graphs, and pie charts.

 Results

Results from the study revealed that syphilis prevalence among pregnant women was 10.6%, with a history of sexually multiple sexual partners being the most significant risk factor. The age group that was mostly affected by syphilis infections among the participants was 25-29 years old.

 Conclusions

Conclusively, according to the results of this study, syphilis prevalence among pregnant women still showed high percentages. History of multiple sexual partners was the most prevalent factor associated with syphilis infection, with the most positive cases being 25-29 years old.

 Recommendations

Much emphasis should be put on point care Tests (POCTS) for all pregnant mothers at each of their antenatal care visits, awareness about prevention and control of syphilis and other STIs to the public, and effective health education programs to females at childbearing age about the health benefits of full antenatal care services.