ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde 29 (1) 06 Apr 20202020 • https://doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742020000100018   copy

Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2011-2018**Article derived from the Master’s Degree thesis entitled ‘Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo’, defended by Karllian Kerlen Simonelli Soares at the Federal University of Espírito Santo Public Health Postgraduate Program in 2017. This study received financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, via its Executive Secretariat and the National Health Foundation, by means of Cooperation Agreement No. 323/2013 - Process No. 25000.202637/2013-92.

Karllian Kerlen Simonelli Soares Thiago Nascimento do Prado Eliana Zandonade Sandra Fagundes Moreira-Silva Angélica Espinosa Miranda About the authors

Abstract

Objective:

to analyze the spatial distribution of syphilis cases in pregnancy and congenital syphilis cases, from 2011 to 2018.

Methods:

this was an ecological study applying spatial analysis of syphilis cases in pregnancy and congenital syphilis reported on the Notifiable Diseases Information System; TerraView 4.2.0 software was used.

Results:

seventy-eight municipalities were analyzed, and evidence of a significant cluster was found for syphilis in pregnant women (Moran index=0.38; p=0.01) and for congenital syphilis (Moran index=0.31; p=0.01) in the greater Vitória region and north coast municipalities; along the north and metropolitan coastal regions some 30 municipalities were identified as having higher occurrence of the outcomes, as well as some 14 municipalities with a high proportion of congenital syphilis and a low proportion of syphilis in pregnancy.

Conclusion:

the study identified places where interventions and prenatal care professional training need to be channeled, with the aim of controlling syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis.

Keywords:
Syphilis; Syphilis, Congenital; Epidemiology, Descriptive; Spatial Analysis

Introduction

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and which, despite having low cost diagnosis and treatment, continues to be a Public Health problem responsible for high mortality rates.11. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância, Prevenção e Controle das Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis, Aids e Hepatites Virais. Manual técnico para o diagnóstico da sífilis [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2016 [citado 2019 dez 9]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.aids.gov.br/pt-br/pub/2016/manual-tecnico-para-diagnostico-da-sifilis
http://www.aids.gov.br/pt-br/pub/2016/ma... ,22. Sousa DMN, Costa CC, Chagas ACMA, Oliveira LL, Oriá MOB, Damasceno AKC. Sífilis congênita: reflexões sobre um agravo sem controle na saúde mãe e filho. Rev Enferm UFPE on line [Internet]. 2014 jan [citado 2019 dez 9];8(1):160-5. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revistaenfermagem/article/download/9619/9602 . doi: 10.5205/reuol.4843-39594-1-SM.0801201426
https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revi... Congenital syphilis, in particular, is one of the main causes of miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth, low birth weight, prematurity and congenital anomalies.33. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Penicilina benzatina para prevenção da Sífilis Congênita durante a gravidez [Internet[. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2015. (n. 150). 21 p. Disponível em: http://conitec.gov.br/images/Consultas/Relatorios/2015/Relatorio_Penicilina_SifilisCongenita_CP.pdf
http://conitec.gov.br/images/Consultas/R...

In Brazil in 2016, the detection rate of syphilis in pregnancy (SP) was 12.4 cases per 1,000 live births (LBs), the congenital syphilis (CS) incidence rate was 6.8 cases per 1,000 LBs, and the CS mortality rate was 6.1 cases per 100,000 LBs.44. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Sífilis 2017. Bol Epidemiol [Internet]. 2017 [citado 2019 dez 9];48(36):1-41. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/novembro/13/BE-2017-038-Boletim-Sifilis-11-2017-publicacao-.pdf
http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/image... Data from a national hospital-based study conducted in 2011-2012 with 23,894 puerperal women by means of hospital interviews, medical record data and prenatal cards, enabled CS incidence to be estimated at 3.51 per 1,000 LBs and a mother-to-child transmission rate of 34.3%.55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-... CS incidence varied between Brazil’s regions, from 1.35/1,000 LBs in the Midwest to 4.03/1,000 LBs in the Northeast.55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-... Another study conducted in six of Brazil’s Federative Units in relation to the period 2007-2012, described syphilis detection rates in pregnant women of between 21% (Amazonas) and 75% (Rio de Janeiro). Congenital syphilis incidence varied from 35.6% in the Federal District to 63.9% in Rio Grande do Sul. Notified congenital syphilis was the outcome for 43% of pregnant women in that study.66. Saraceni V, Pereira GFM, Silveira MF, Araujo MAL, Miranda AE. Vigilância epidemiológica da transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados de seis unidades federativas no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica [Internet]. 2017 fev-set [citado 2019 dez 9]; 41:44. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rpsp/v41/1020-4989-RPSP-41-e44.pdf .
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rpsp/v41/102...

The Ministry of Health defined CS as a compulsorily notifiable condition in 1986 and SP in 2005.77. Costa CC, Freitas LV, Sousa DM, Oliveira LL, Chagas AC, Lopes MV, et al. Congenital syphilis in Ceará: epidemiological analysis of one decade. Rev Esc Enferm USP [Internet]. 2013 fev [cited 2019 Dec 9];47(1):152-9. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n1/a19v47n1.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S0080-62342013000100019
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n1/a1...

8. Lima MG, Santos RF, Barbosa GJ, Ribeiro GS. Incidence and risk factors for congenital syphilis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 2001-2008. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2013 Feb [cited 2019 Dec 9];18(2):499-506. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000200021
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pd...

9. Oliveira LR, Costa MC, Barreto FR, Pereira SM, Dourado I, Teixeira MG. Evaluation of preventative and control measures for congenital syphilis in State of Mato Grosso. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop [Internet]. 2014 maio-jun [cited 2019 Dec 9];47(3):334-40. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822014000300334&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en . doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0030-2014
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s... -1010. Serafim AS, Moretti GP, Serafim GS, Niero CV, Rosa MI, Pires MM, et al. Incidence of congenital syphilis in the South Region of Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop [Internet]. 2014 maio-abr [cited 2019 Dec 9];47(2):170-8. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rsbmt/v47n2/0037-8682-rsbmt-47-02-170.pdf . doi: /10.1590/0037-8682-0045-2014
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rsbmt/v47n2/003... Eliminating mother-to-child syphilis transmission in Brazil has been a priority since 1997, the main objective of which is to reduce the CS incidence rate to 0.5/1,000 LBs, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO).22. Sousa DMN, Costa CC, Chagas ACMA, Oliveira LL, Oriá MOB, Damasceno AKC. Sífilis congênita: reflexões sobre um agravo sem controle na saúde mãe e filho. Rev Enferm UFPE on line [Internet]. 2014 jan [citado 2019 dez 9];8(1):160-5. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revistaenfermagem/article/download/9619/9602 . doi: 10.5205/reuol.4843-39594-1-SM.0801201426
https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revi... ,44. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Sífilis 2017. Bol Epidemiol [Internet]. 2017 [citado 2019 dez 9];48(36):1-41. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/novembro/13/BE-2017-038-Boletim-Sifilis-11-2017-publicacao-.pdf
http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/image... ,1111. Organización Mundial da la Salud. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPAS). Marco para la eliminación de la transmisión maternoinfantil del VIH, la sífilis, la hepatitis y la enfermedad de Chagas [Internet]. Geneva: Organización Mundial da la Salud; 2017. Disponível em: http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=41278&Itemid=270&lang=en
http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=... Standing out among the factors hindering achievement of CS elimination is inadequate prenatal care, with late diagnosis in pregnant women, inadequate treatment and untreated partners.1212. Cooper JM, Michelow IC, Wozniak PS, Sánchez PJ. Em tempo: a persistência da sífilis congênita no Brasil - Mais avanços são necessários! Rev Paul Pediatr [Internet]. 2016 set [citado 2019 dez 9];34(3):251-3. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rpp/v34n3/pt_0103-0582-rpp-34-03-0251.pdf . doi: .1016/j.rppede.2016.06.004
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rpp/v34n3/pt_01... ,1313. França ISX, Batista JDL, Coura AS, Oliveira CF, Araújo AKF, Sousa FS. Fatores associados à notificação da sífilis congênita: um indicador de qualidade da assistência ao pré-natal. Rev Rene [Internet]. 2015 mai-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];16(3):374-81. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.periodicos.ufc.br/rene/article/view/2805
http://www.periodicos.ufc.br/rene/articl... Negative outcomes, such as miscarriage, still born fetus or perinatal death occur in approximately 40% of inadequately treated SP cases.22. Sousa DMN, Costa CC, Chagas ACMA, Oliveira LL, Oriá MOB, Damasceno AKC. Sífilis congênita: reflexões sobre um agravo sem controle na saúde mãe e filho. Rev Enferm UFPE on line [Internet]. 2014 jan [citado 2019 dez 9];8(1):160-5. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revistaenfermagem/article/download/9619/9602 . doi: 10.5205/reuol.4843-39594-1-SM.0801201426
https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revi...

Health information systems used to monitor health conditions are important tools for preparing indicators capable of contributing to guiding CS elimination targets.66. Saraceni V, Pereira GFM, Silveira MF, Araujo MAL, Miranda AE. Vigilância epidemiológica da transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados de seis unidades federativas no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica [Internet]. 2017 fev-set [citado 2019 dez 9]; 41:44. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rpsp/v41/1020-4989-RPSP-41-e44.pdf .
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rpsp/v41/102... An additional strategy for surveillance and control of these conditions is to use health Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These are an efficient resource for capturing, storing, handling, analyzing and demonstrating georeferenced data. GIS contribute to health surveillance and planning, to the extent that they enable the health situation in a given territory to be described and allow resource allocation to regions in risk situations.1414. Cunha e Silva DC, Lourenço RW, Cordeiro, RC, Cordeiro MRD. Análise da relação entre a distribuição espacial das morbidades por obesidade e hipertensão arterial para o estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2014 jan-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];19(6):1709-19. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1413-81232014000601709&lng=pt&nrm=iso . doi: 0.1590/1413-81232014196.15002013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Spatial analysis of syphilis cases in Madrid, Spain, concluded that the GIS-based analysis method is important for optimizing interventions, as it favors syphilis control planning by directing health service attention to vulnerable groups.1515. Wijers IGM, Gómez AS, Jiménez JAT. Estudio espacial de la sífilis infecciosa y la infección gonocócica en un servicio de salud pública de área de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2017 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];91:e1-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?pid=S1135-57272017000100408&script=sci_arttext&tlng=enhttps:/# Acesso em: 22 de abril de 2018 . doi:
https://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?pid=... As a result of increasing CS incidence rates and considering the need to achieve the target defined for its elimination, it is fundamental to organize and plan actions to control this condition. For planning to be efficient, it is essential to know where the risk areas are and identify priority regions for this work.

The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of SP and CS cases in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, between 2011 and 2018.

Methods

This was an ecological observational study: a spatial analysis of SP and CS case distribution in the municipalities of Espírito Santo state between 2011 and 2018.

Espírito Santo is a state located in the Southeast region of Brazil. It has 78 municipalities and, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), its population was estimated as being 4,016,356 inhabitants in 2017, covering a geographic area of 46,086.907km22. Sousa DMN, Costa CC, Chagas ACMA, Oliveira LL, Oriá MOB, Damasceno AKC. Sífilis congênita: reflexões sobre um agravo sem controle na saúde mãe e filho. Rev Enferm UFPE on line [Internet]. 2014 jan [citado 2019 dez 9];8(1):160-5. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revistaenfermagem/article/download/9619/9602 . doi: 10.5205/reuol.4843-39594-1-SM.0801201426
https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revi... and having a human development index (HDI) of 0.740.1616. Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD). Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Ipea). Fundação João Pinheiro (FJP). Atlas do desenvolvimento humano nos estados, 2011 a 2015 [Internet]. [ S.l]: Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento, 2019 [citado 2019 nov 12]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.atlasbrasil.org.br/2013/pt/o_atlas/o_atlas_/
http://www.atlasbrasil.org.br/2013/pt/o_... According to the National Health Survey, in 2013, 54% of the population of Espírito Santo was registered with a Family Health Center, 68% considered their health to be good and approximately 71% of pregnant women had had prenatal healthcare with seven or more appointments.1717. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa nacional de saúde 2013: acesso e utilização dos serviços de saúde, acidentes e violências [Internet]. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística; 2015 [citado 2019 dez 9]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/pt/biblioteca-catalogo?view=detalhes&id=294074
https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/pt/biblio...

Syphilis in pregnancy (SP) cases were defined as all such cases reported on the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), i.e. all pregnant women who during prenatal care had clinical evidence of syphilis and/or serological evidence of reactive non-treponemal test or positive treponemal test. For the purposes of the study, congenital syphilis (CS) was defined as all cases notified on SINAN of children under 13 years old with clinical manifestation or reactive diagnostic test at childbirth, or whose mother had a reactive serological syphilis test during the prenatal and/or at childbirth/in the postpartum period, a reactive serological test for syphilis, or a newborn, stillborn or miscarried baby with untreated or inadequately treated syphilis. All included cases were resident in municipalities of Espírito Santo state.44. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Sífilis 2017. Bol Epidemiol [Internet]. 2017 [citado 2019 dez 9];48(36):1-41. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/novembro/13/BE-2017-038-Boletim-Sifilis-11-2017-publicacao-.pdf
http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/image...

The following variables were analyzed: number of SP and CS cases, number of LBs, population size, SP detection rate and CS incidence rate - the latter two rates being obtained from SINAN and from the State Health Department. The number of LBs was obtained from the Live Births Information System (SINASC), available at the Brazilian Unified National Health System Information Technology Service (DATASUS) website, while population size was retrieved from the IBGE webpage. The results were stratified according to municipal population size: up to 20,000 inhab.; 20,001-50,000 inhab.; and more than 50,001 inhab.

The SP detection rates and the CS incidence rate in each municipality were obtained using the TerraView application, calculated by taking the number of cases as the numerator and the number of LBs as the denominator, multiplied by 1,000. Following this, SP detection rate maps and CS incident rate maps were prepared.

With the aim of minimizing crude rate fluctuations arising from municipalities with zero rates and/or small population size. i.e. population under 20,000 inhab., the local empirical Bayes method (LEBayes) and the global empirical Bayes method (GEBayes) were used. The local method calculates an artificial estimate of the municipality being studied in relation to neighboring municipalities, while the global method compares the municipality being studied with its entire region, i.e. with all municipalities in its geographic region. Those smoothed rates were compared with crude rates, using scatter plots prepared with STATA 13.1414. Cunha e Silva DC, Lourenço RW, Cordeiro, RC, Cordeiro MRD. Análise da relação entre a distribuição espacial das morbidades por obesidade e hipertensão arterial para o estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2014 jan-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];19(6):1709-19. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1413-81232014000601709&lng=pt&nrm=iso . doi: 0.1590/1413-81232014196.15002013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Moran’s index was used to analyze clusters or significance of correlations between rates found in areas on the map based on crude rates.1414. Cunha e Silva DC, Lourenço RW, Cordeiro, RC, Cordeiro MRD. Análise da relação entre a distribuição espacial das morbidades por obesidade e hipertensão arterial para o estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2014 jan-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];19(6):1709-19. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1413-81232014000601709&lng=pt&nrm=iso . doi: 0.1590/1413-81232014196.15002013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Scatter plots using Pearson analysis were built with STATA 13, correlating crude rates with smoothed rates for both SP and CS. In order to estimate concomitant correlation between SP detection rates and CS incidence rates, a scatter plot was built with municipalities classified according to population size: category 1- municipalities with up to 20,000 inhab.; category 2 - municipalities with 20,000-50,000 inhab.; and category 3 - more than 50,001 inhab.

No standard SP categorization exists in the literature. For this reason we adopted classification using equal division of SP detection rates (e.g.: a rate of 7.5 cases per 1,000 LBs):

  1. low incidence, in municipalities with a detection rate of 0-7.50 cases per 1,000 LBs;

  2. intermediate incidence, in municipalities with a detection rate of 7.51-15.00 cases per 1,000 LBs;

  3. high incidence, in municipalities with a detection rate of 15.01- 22.50 cases per 1,000 LBs; and

  4. very high incidence, in municipalities with a detection rate of 22.51 or more cases per 1,000 LBs.

In order to categorize the CS incidence rate, the reference target defined by WHO was used,1111. Organización Mundial da la Salud. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPAS). Marco para la eliminación de la transmisión maternoinfantil del VIH, la sífilis, la hepatitis y la enfermedad de Chagas [Internet]. Geneva: Organización Mundial da la Salud; 2017. Disponível em: http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=41278&Itemid=270&lang=en
http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=... whereby incidence rates below 0.50 cases per 1,000 LBs were classified as low incidence. As there are no values defined in the literature, incidence rates with other values were classified using the equal division method, separating municipalities according to case rate per 1,000 LBs:

  1. intermediate incidence, 0.50-4.00 cases per 1000 LBs;

  2. high incidence, 4.01-8.00 cases per 1,000 LBs; and

  3. very high incidence, over 8.00 cases per 1,000 LBs.

  4. The study project was approved by the Federal University of Espírito Santo Health Sciences Center Human Research Ethics Committee (CEP/CCS/UFES): Opinion No. 2.169.204, dated July 12, 2017.

Results

Between 2011 and 2018, 6,563 SP cases and 3,908 CS cases were notified in Espírito Santo state. Analysis of the maps shown in the Figures shows geographic incidence rate clustering extending northwards along the coast from the metropolitan region of the state capital Vitória (Figure 1A).

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Figure 1
- Maps of syphilis incidence in pregnant women (SP), Espírito Santo, 2011-2018

The smoothed local map (LEBayes) for SP, (Figure 1B) shows that 16 municipalities had changes inherent to incidence rate fluctuation: Domingos Martins, São José dos Calçados, Marilândia, Santa Leopoldina, Iconha, Jerônimo Monteiro, Fundão, Vila Valério, Ibiraçu, Itaguaçu, Alegre, Marechal Floriano, Presidente Kennedy, São Domingos do Norte, Irupi and São Roque do Canaã, all of which had a population of up to 20,000 inhab. Guarapari, a municipality with 100,000 inhab., moved from the 22.50 or more cases per 1,000 LBs category in relation to its crude rate, to 15-22.50/1,000 LBs.

Figure 1, Map C, shows greater smoothening, using the global method (GEBayes). Eleven municipalities changed categories: Iconha, Itaguaçu, Itarana, Marilândia, Alegre, Ibiraçu, Dores do Rio Preto, Águia Branca, Santa Leopoldina, São Roque do Canaã and Marechal Floriano; none of the municipalities continued to have a zero incidence rate.

Spatial autocorrelation of SP using the local Moran method enabled significance to be identified, i.e. measuring the relation between SP and spatial closeness, and finding similar and/or close values, providing the single value of 0.38 (p<0.01) for the entire set of municipalities and thus characterizing the study. Data scattering using the local method was found to be greater in relation to the global method. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the local method was 0.96 (p>0.001), while for the global method it was 0.98 (p<0.001), thus characterizing high correlation. In Figure 2, the LEBayes scatter plot (A) shows greater data scattering when compared to the GEBayes scatter plot (B).

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Figure 2
- Correlation of syphilis incidence dispersion in pregnant women (SP), Espírito Santo, 2011-2018

In Figure 3, map A shows the crude CS incidence rates. Among the municipalities analyzed, four have incidence below 0.5 cases per 1,000 LBs or were classified in the low incidence category; a further 17 municipalities were classified as high incidence; and 18 municipalities were classified as having very high incidence.

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Figure 3
- Congenital syphilis (CS) incidence maps, Espírito Santo, 2011-2018

In Figure 3, map B shows the smoothed rates. Four municipalities which had been categorized as low incidence now have intermediate incidence and a further eight municipalities which had been categorized as intermediate incidence have been reclassified as high incidence. Conversely, three municipalities switched from high to intermediate incidence.

Map C of Figure 3 shows that smoothing resulted in 17 intermediate incidence municipalities being reclassified as high incidence; none of the municipalities continued to have a zero incidence rate.

Direct spatial correlation was found between CS cases represented by spatial proximity and close and similar incidence rates. The significance of this correlation was demonstrated, as proven by Moran’s index, whereby the value of 0.31 (p>0.01) was adopted to represent all the municipalities studied. Scatter plots (Figure 4) were prepared with the aim of comparing CS incidence with the values adjusted using the LEBayes and the GEBayes methods. Pearson’s coefficients showed strong positive correlation: 0.98 (p>0.001) for the global method and 0.95 (p>0.001) for the local method.

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Figure 4
- Congenital syphilis (CS) incidence scatter plots, Espírito Santo, 2011-2018

When SP and CS rates were compared concomitantly, the majority of municipalities classified in group 1 - up to 20,000 inhab. - were found to have intermediate and high CS incidence rates, and low and intermediate SP rates. Six municipalities had low and intermediate SP incidence and high and very high CS incidence.

Among municipalities classified in group 2 -20,000-50,000 inhab. -, 15 had low and intermediate incidence for both CS and SP, while seven had high and very high rates for both forms of infection.

With regard to group 3 municipalities - over 50,001 inhab. -, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim had very high CS incidence and intermediate SP incidence; while the municipalities of Cariacica, Viana, Guarapari, Vitória, Vila Velha, Aracruz, Serra and São Mateus had high and very high CS incidence and high and very high SP incidence (Figure 5).

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Figure 5
- Scatter plot of congenital syphilis incidence and incidence of syphilis in pregnant women, Espírito Santo, 2011-2018

Discussion

This study found high SP and CS occurrence in Espírito Santo state. Some municipalities had high CS incidence rates and low or intermediate SP rates, suggesting underreporting. Other municipalities had compatible SP and CS rates, indicating the possibility of inadequate attention to syphilis during pregnancy.

The majority of the state’s municipalities had medium and high CS incidence and low and intermediate SP incidence in the period 2011-2018. However, analysis of the syphilis case maps for the state and its municipalities showed non-random SP and CS spatial distribution, as well as a significant cluster patter, proven by Moran’s index and also visually evident, both on the SP map and also on the CS map; the geographical evidence of the data gathered points to high risk of occurrence of the disease in the metropolitan region of Vitória and on the state’s north coast. This conclusion is similar to the findings of Pedrosa et al.,1818. Pedrosa NL, Santos VF, Paiva SS, Galvão MTG, Almeida RLF, Kerr LRFS. Assistência especializada para pessoas com AIDS no estado do Ceará, Brasil. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 out[citado 2019 dez 9];49:77. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0034-89102015000100308&script=sci_arttext&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049006028
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S003... whose study conducted in 2015 in the state of Ceará regarding spatial distribution of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - an infection with similar transmission to that of syphilis -, identified the same spatial cluster model, both on the coast and in the metropolitan region of the state capital Fortaleza.1818. Pedrosa NL, Santos VF, Paiva SS, Galvão MTG, Almeida RLF, Kerr LRFS. Assistência especializada para pessoas com AIDS no estado do Ceará, Brasil. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 out[citado 2019 dez 9];49:77. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0034-89102015000100308&script=sci_arttext&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049006028
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S003...

With regard to the main cluster on the CS map, it can be suggested that a probable cause is the existence of shortcomings in prenatal care.22. Sousa DMN, Costa CC, Chagas ACMA, Oliveira LL, Oriá MOB, Damasceno AKC. Sífilis congênita: reflexões sobre um agravo sem controle na saúde mãe e filho. Rev Enferm UFPE on line [Internet]. 2014 jan [citado 2019 dez 9];8(1):160-5. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revistaenfermagem/article/download/9619/9602 . doi: 10.5205/reuol.4843-39594-1-SM.0801201426
https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revi... ,55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-... ,88. Lima MG, Santos RF, Barbosa GJ, Ribeiro GS. Incidence and risk factors for congenital syphilis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 2001-2008. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2013 Feb [cited 2019 Dec 9];18(2):499-506. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000200021
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pd... ,1919. Rezende EMA, Barbosa NB. A sífilis congênita como indicador da assistência de pré-natal no estado de Goiás. Rev APS [Internet]. 2015 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];18(2):220-32. Disponível em: https://aps.ufjf.emnuvens.com.br/aps/article/view/2421

20. Carvalho IS, Brito RS. Sífilis congênita no Rio Grande do Norte: estudo descritivo do período 2007-2010. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2014 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];23(2):287-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742014000200010 . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742014000200010
http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?s... -2121. Magalhães DMS, Kawaguchi IAL, Dias A, Calderon IMP. Sífilis materna e congênita: ainda um desafio. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2013 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];29(6):1109-20. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v29n6.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2013000600008
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v2... The CS incidence rate is an indicator capable of pointing to flaws in prenatal care. A study conducted in Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state, for the period 2001-2008, found that the high CS incidence rate was directly related to low quality prenatal care, and that almost half the diagnoses had been made during or after childbirth.88. Lima MG, Santos RF, Barbosa GJ, Ribeiro GS. Incidence and risk factors for congenital syphilis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 2001-2008. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2013 Feb [cited 2019 Dec 9];18(2):499-506. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000200021
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csc/v18n2/21.pd...

The cluster of municipalities with a low SP detection rate in the south, far north and central region of the Espírito Santo state coast may be an indicator of possible flaws in health care in those regions, such as lack of diagnosis and/or case underreporting. Studies conducted in Goiás in 2015 and in Rio Grande do Norte between 2007 and 2010, report that SP case underreporting is a Public Health problem that compromises syphilis control.1919. Rezende EMA, Barbosa NB. A sífilis congênita como indicador da assistência de pré-natal no estado de Goiás. Rev APS [Internet]. 2015 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];18(2):220-32. Disponível em: https://aps.ufjf.emnuvens.com.br/aps/article/view/2421,2222. Lafetá KRG, Martelli Júnior H, Silveira MF, Paranaíba LMR. Sífilis materna e congênita, subnotificação e difícil controle. Rev Bras Epidemiol [Internet]. 2016 jan-mar [citado 2019 dez 9];19(1):63-74. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1415-790X2016000100063&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/1980-5497201600010006
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S141...

Crude SP and CS rates were compared with rates corrected using the Bayesian method with scatter plots. This showed greater diffusion at the base of the respective plots, which is where the smaller municipalities are situated and which have small population sizes and poorer social conditions, especially with regard to the population’s health, as well as low SP and CS incidence.1414. Cunha e Silva DC, Lourenço RW, Cordeiro, RC, Cordeiro MRD. Análise da relação entre a distribuição espacial das morbidades por obesidade e hipertensão arterial para o estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2014 jan-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];19(6):1709-19. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1413-81232014000601709&lng=pt&nrm=iso . doi: 0.1590/1413-81232014196.15002013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s... ,2323. Nonato SM, Melo APS, Guimarães MDC. Sífilis na gestação e fatores associados à sífilis congênita em Belo Horizonte - MG, 2010-2013. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2015 out-dez [citado 2019 dez 9];24(4):681-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2237-9622-ress-24-04-00681.pdf . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742015000400010
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2...

A study conducted by Carvalho & Brito in 2014 in Rio Grande do Norte state revealed that underreporting was more likely in municipalities with fewer available resources. That was the result of another study, with a similar design and similar objectives, which may explain the results of our study: nil SP and CS incidence rates in several municipalities and incidence value dispersion.1414. Cunha e Silva DC, Lourenço RW, Cordeiro, RC, Cordeiro MRD. Análise da relação entre a distribuição espacial das morbidades por obesidade e hipertensão arterial para o estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 2000 a 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2014 jan-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];19(6):1709-19. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S1413-81232014000601709&lng=pt&nrm=iso . doi: 0.1590/1413-81232014196.15002013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s... ,2020. Carvalho IS, Brito RS. Sífilis congênita no Rio Grande do Norte: estudo descritivo do período 2007-2010. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2014 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];23(2):287-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742014000200010 . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742014000200010
http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?s...

When considering some of the municipalities analyzed which had high and very high CS incidence while having intermediate SP incidence at the same time, the hypothesis of SP case underreporting and/or failure to diagnose is raised. A study conducted in Goiás state,1919. Rezende EMA, Barbosa NB. A sífilis congênita como indicador da assistência de pré-natal no estado de Goiás. Rev APS [Internet]. 2015 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];18(2):220-32. Disponível em: https://aps.ufjf.emnuvens.com.br/aps/article/view/2421 and another study conducted in Belo Horizonte city,2323. Nonato SM, Melo APS, Guimarães MDC. Sífilis na gestação e fatores associados à sífilis congênita em Belo Horizonte - MG, 2010-2013. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2015 out-dez [citado 2019 dez 9];24(4):681-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2237-9622-ress-24-04-00681.pdf . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742015000400010
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2... both in 2015, found a high percentage of SP underreporting, i.e. approximately 50% of cases were underreported.

Compulsory case notification is an important surveillance measure, to the extent that it enables the bringing together or more data needed for performing epidemiological analyses as well as for informing control action planning. Conversely, underreporting hinders understanding of the magnitude of the problem, interfering in the capacity to control disease.2323. Nonato SM, Melo APS, Guimarães MDC. Sífilis na gestação e fatores associados à sífilis congênita em Belo Horizonte - MG, 2010-2013. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2015 out-dez [citado 2019 dez 9];24(4):681-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2237-9622-ress-24-04-00681.pdf . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742015000400010
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/ress/v24n4/2...

24. Teixeira MA. Perfil epidemiológico e sociodemográfico das crianças infectadas por sífilis congênita no município de Jequié/Bahia. Rev Saúde Com [Internet]. 2015 jun-nov [citado 2019 dez 9];11(3):303-13. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.uesb.br/revista/rsc/ojs/index.php/rsc/article/view/278
http://www.uesb.br/revista/rsc/ojs/index... -2525. Silva GA, Oliveira CMG. O registro das doenças de notificação compulsória: a participação dos profissionais da saúde e da comunidade. Rev Epidemiol Control Infect [Internet]. 2014 jul-set [citado 2019 dez 9];4(3):215-20. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://online.unisc.br/seer/index.php/epidemiologia/article/view/4578
https://online.unisc.br/seer/index.php/e...

Control of mother-to-child syphilis transmission, proposed by WHO in 2010, has as its targets CS elimination and/or reduction of its incidence rate to 0.5 cases per 1000 LBs.1111. Organización Mundial da la Salud. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPAS). Marco para la eliminación de la transmisión maternoinfantil del VIH, la sífilis, la hepatitis y la enfermedad de Chagas [Internet]. Geneva: Organización Mundial da la Salud; 2017. Disponível em: http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=41278&Itemid=270&lang=en
http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=... In order to meet this target, priority strategies have been defined in Brazil, in particular improved prenatal consultations, including early diagnosis of SP and adequate treatment of pregnant women and their partners.55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-... ,2020. Carvalho IS, Brito RS. Sífilis congênita no Rio Grande do Norte: estudo descritivo do período 2007-2010. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [Internet]. 2014 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];23(2):287-94. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-49742014000200010 . doi: 10.5123/S1679-49742014000200010
http://scielo.iec.pa.gov.br/scielo.php?s...

As can be seen in the diagram comparing SP and CS, 18 municipalities had persistently high SP and CS rates, which also suggests shortcomings in prenatal care. Studies conducted in the United States in 2014 and in China in 2015 revealed that prenatal care favors breaking the mother-to-child syphilis transmission chain and, consequently, favors syphilis control. On the other hand, some studies have provided evidence of flaws in prenatal care, especially with regard to diagnosis and treatment, which compromise control of mother-to-child syphilis transmission.55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-... ,2121. Magalhães DMS, Kawaguchi IAL, Dias A, Calderon IMP. Sífilis materna e congênita: ainda um desafio. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2013 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];29(6):1109-20. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v29n6.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2013000600008
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v2... ,2222. Lafetá KRG, Martelli Júnior H, Silveira MF, Paranaíba LMR. Sífilis materna e congênita, subnotificação e difícil controle. Rev Bras Epidemiol [Internet]. 2016 jan-mar [citado 2019 dez 9];19(1):63-74. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1415-790X2016000100063&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/1980-5497201600010006
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S141... ,2626. Qin JB, Feng TJ, Yang TB, Hong FC, Lan LN, Zhang CL. Risk factors for congenital syphilis and adverse pregnancy outcomes in offspring of women with syphilis in Shenzhen, China: a prospective nested case-control study. Sex Transm Dis [Internet]. 2014 Jan [cited 2019 Dec 9];41(1):13-23. Available from: Available from: https://insights.ovid.com/article/00007435-201401000-00004 . doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000062
https://insights.ovid.com/article/000074... ,2727. Bowen V, Su J, Torrone E, Kidd S, Weinstock H. Increase in Incidence of Congenital Syphilis - United States, 2012-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015 Nov [cited 2019 Dec 9];64(44):1241-5. Available from: Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6444.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6444.p...

Notwithstanding, carrying out prenatal care in itself is not enough. Quality prenatal care is required. Studies conducted in Amazonas state in 2016, in Montes Claros-MG in 2013 and in the Federal District in 2014 revealed that prenatal care provision has had shortcomings, such as the persistence of late diagnosis and inadequate treatment of syphilis contracted by pregnant women and/or their partners, thus leading to an increase in the number of CS cases.2121. Magalhães DMS, Kawaguchi IAL, Dias A, Calderon IMP. Sífilis materna e congênita: ainda um desafio. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2013 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];29(6):1109-20. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v29n6.pdf . doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2013000600008
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v29n6/a08v2... ,2222. Lafetá KRG, Martelli Júnior H, Silveira MF, Paranaíba LMR. Sífilis materna e congênita, subnotificação e difícil controle. Rev Bras Epidemiol [Internet]. 2016 jan-mar [citado 2019 dez 9];19(1):63-74. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1415-790X2016000100063&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/1980-5497201600010006
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S141... ,2828. Soeiro CMO, Miranda AE, Saraceni V, Santos MC, Talhari S, Ferreira LCL. Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in Amazonas State, Brazil: an evaluation using database linkage. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2014 Apr [cited 2019 Dec 9];30(4):715-23. Available from: Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24896047 . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00156312
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2489...

A practice that favors quality of prenatal care is starting it early and ensuring that pregnant women adhere to it, making it possible to provide information on health promotion and disease prevention. According to Domingues & Leal, women with mother-to-child syphilis transmission began prenatal care late and had fewer consultations.55. Domingues RMSM, Leal MC. Incidência de sífilis congenital e fatores asssociados à transmissão vertical da sífilis: dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2016 jun [citado 2019 dez 9];32(6):1-12. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-4464-csp-32-06-e00082415.pdf . doi: 0.1590/0102-311X00082415
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/csp/v32n6/1678-...

The limitations found in this study relate to the use of secondary data, which, given the possibility of underreporting, may underestimate the true epidemiological situation of syphilis, since data on SP and CS cases not notified on the SINAN system in the period 2011-2018 could not be included in the study.1919. Rezende EMA, Barbosa NB. A sífilis congênita como indicador da assistência de pré-natal no estado de Goiás. Rev APS [Internet]. 2015 abr-jun [citado 2019 dez 9];18(2):220-32. Disponível em: https://aps.ufjf.emnuvens.com.br/aps/article/view/2421 Another limitation is inference during data analysis, since the variables should be interpreted grouped together.

A further limitation lies in the possibility of crude incidence rate fluctuation in small and medium-sized municipalities or municipalities with small populations, whereby analysis and association with the local and global Bayesian methods are needed, these being used to evaluate association between crude data and data for neighboring areas. Studies conducted in the states of Tocantins and Goiás considered the local and global Bayesian methods, also used in our study, to be effective in reducing random fluctuations, in order to minimize possible information errors generated.2929. Monteiro LD, Mota RMS, Martins-Melo FR, Alencar CH, Heukelbach J. Determinantes sociais da hanseníase em um estado hiperendêmico da região Norte do Brasil. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2017 jul [citado 2019 dez 9];51:70. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102017000100260&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt . doi: 10.1590/s1518-8787.2017051006655
http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?scrip... ,3030. Nunes FG. Abordagem bayesiana na epidemiologia espacial de notificações de casos de dengue no Estado de Goiás [Internet]. In: 16° Simpósio Brasileiro de Sensoriamento Remoto. 2013 abr [citado 2019 dez 9]; Foz do Iguaçu. Paraná: INPE; 2013. p. 8554-60. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://marte2.sid.inpe.br/rep/dpi.inpe.br/marte2/2013/05.28.23.33.42
http://marte2.sid.inpe.br/rep/dpi.inpe.b...

Nevertheless, the results found help to indicate the challenges facing Espírito Santo state in meeting the target set by WHO, given that the study identified areas with high congenital syphilis incidence rates, failures in prenatal care and underreporting of syphilis cases among pregnant women.

Finally, the need exists to prioritize the response to congenital syphilis with actions that are appropriate for the needs of each municipality. It is essential to pay attention to early diagnosis, treating partners, correct filling in of pregnancy cards, active tracing of pregnant women who fail to attend prenatal appointments, building a notification routine in all health centers and training health workers involved in managing acquired syphilis and syphilis in pregnancy, with the aim of breaking the mother-to-child syphilis transmission chain.

References

  • *
    Article derived from the Master’s Degree thesis entitled ‘Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo’, defended by Karllian Kerlen Simonelli Soares at the Federal University of Espírito Santo Public Health Postgraduate Program in 2017. This study received financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, via its Executive Secretariat and the National Health Foundation, by means of Cooperation Agreement No. 323/2013 - Process No. 25000.202637/2013-92.

  • Erratum

    In the article “Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2001-2018*”, DOI: 10.5123/S1679-49742020000100018, published on Epidemiology and Health Services, 29(1):1-11, in the page 1:
    Original text:
    “Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2001-2018”
    Corrected text:
    “Spatial analysis of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2011-2018”

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    06 Apr 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    30 Oct 2018
  • Accepted
    03 Nov 2019
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Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente - Ministério da Saúde do Brasil Brasília - Distrito Federal - Brazil
E-mail: ress.svs@gmail.com
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