Seroprevalence Of Syphilis Among Pregnant Women At The Omar Bongo Ondimba Regional Hospital In Makokou, North-East Of Gabon

ABSTRACTSyphilis is a major public health problem worldwide. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with this infection among pregnant women. These women were received for a prenatal consultation in 2022 at the laboratory of the Omar Bongo Ondimba Regional Hospital of Makokou (OBORHM), Northeast of Gabon.Patients and Methods: Conducted from April 11 to June 11, 2022, this retrospective, cross-sectional study was based on registers containing sociodemographic information, obstetrical data, and results of examinations for the detection of Treponema pallidum in the pregnant women in the study. Data were analyzed using R software and results were considered significant at a p value ≤ 0.05.Results: A total of 215 records were collected. Of these, 5 were positive for syphilis, indicating an overall prevalence of 2.33% (95% CI: [0.01- 0.53]). Univariate analysis of syphilis prevalence by sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics showed that being between 31 and 40 years of age (Odds Ratio = 7.01; 95% CI [1.13;43.44], p=0.000), and being single (Odds Ratio = 10.0; 95% CI [1.1;91.31] p=0.013), were significantly associated with syphilis prevalence.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated the existence of syphilis among pregnant women, which can be transmitted to the child in Makokou. They may raise awareness among the population. Emphasis should be placed on systematic screening during prenatal visits of pregnant women.in Gabon.Keywords: Prevalence; Syphilis; Pregnant women; Makokou; Gabon