Details:

Alternative Title:
Sex Transm Dis
Personal Author:
Hackett, Colleen ; Frank, Leslie ; Heldt-Werle, Lindsey ; Loosier, Penny S.
Hackett, Colleen ; Frank, Leslie ; Heldt-Werle, Lindsey ; Loosier, Penny S. Less -
Description:
Background.

Syphilis and congenital syphilis rates have increased sharply in Colorado in the past 5 years. Congenital syphilis is passed during pregnancy in utero and can cause lifelong physical, developmental, and neurologic problems for the child, or can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. Congenital syphilis is easily prevented if the mother receives timely testing, treatment, and prenatal care. Providers can play a key role in preventing congenital syphilis for women with social vulnerabilities, who have a higher likelihood of syphilis and/or congenital syphilis infection.

Methods.

We surveyed 23 and interviewed 4 health care providers in southern Colorado in 2022 to record their experiences in providing sexual health care services. We asked providers with direct care experience about perceived barriers in effectively treating syphilis.

Results.

The most significant barriers reported in the survey were the cost of treatment (26%) and the loss to follow-up (22%). Interviews revealed further challenges, including discretionary testing procedures, delays in screening results, treatment referral issues, and stigma around substance use and sexual activity.

Conclusions.

Elevated syphilis and congenital syphilis rates pose significant public health challenges. Coordinated interventions are necessary to effectively reduce the transmission of syphilis and congenital syphilis among women with upstream barriers. Potential care solutions include expanding rapid, point-of care testing and treatment options, supporting bicillin delivery or web-based inventory systems, offering anti-stigma training for providers, offering mental and behavioral health resources at providers’ clinics, and expanding partnerships with syringe access programs.


Subjects:
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Child Female Humans Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications, Infectious Prenatal Care Sexual Behavior Sexual Health Syphilis Syphilis, Congenital
Source:
Sex Transm Dis. 51(5):337-341
Pubmed ID:
38301636
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC11018457
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
U50 CK000408/CK/NCEZID CDC HHSUnited States/
Place as Subject:
Colorado
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:afe0f2db5876214ee4fd0ccea98c0aa5e73006cdcf5e0443a553b6b4cf29d778
File Type:

• Supporting Files:
  No Additional Files

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