SEROPREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN GAMBELLA HOSPITAL, GAMBELLA, ETHIOPIA, 2017

Abstract

Abstract Background: Syphilis is one of the sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria and it is transmitted through sexual contact, via blood transfusion, or transplacentally. In 2008 there were 1,360,485 pregnant women with active syphilis infections. In Ethiopia the prevalence of syphilis among antenatal care attenders has been quantified and survey every two year has been undertaken and showed that 9% prevalence of syphilis was highest in gambella hospital. Objective: To assess seroprevalence and associated factors of syphilis infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Gambella General Hospital, Gambella , Ethiopia, 2017. Methods: The study was conducted at Gambella General Hospital from November to December. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were study population. Cross sectional study design was employed. The sample size calculated was 385 pregnant women. Data was entered and analysed using Statical Packaging for Social Science (SPSS). Variables in multivariate analysis with p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Ethical clearance was obtained and confidentiality maintained. Result: The overall sero prevalence of syphilis was 11.9%. About 45.6% of the sero positive mothers were found in 26-30 age categories. Six (8.5%) of respondents with genitourinary symptoms were reactive for VDRL test. The prevalence of syphilis was 24.0% for mothers who had abortion. Mother history of sexually transmitted disease; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) : 8.488; 95%CI: 3.289-21.906), Mother who had extra sexual partner (AOR: 7.510; (95%CI: 2.839 19.863), husband, who had extra sexual partner (AOR: 6.005; 95% CI: 2.487-14.495), history of abortion (AOR: 5.082; 95%CI: 2.043-12.646) and husband travel history (AOR: 3.191; (95%CI: 1.402-7.262) were significantly associated with syphilis infections. Conclusion and Recommendation: Syphilis infection among pregnant women in Gambella hospital was high-intermediate. Mother history of abortion, mother extra sexual partner relationship, travel history of husband, multi sexual partnership of husband and mother history of sexual transmitted disease associated with syphilis infection. Health education needs to be provided to mothers and husband about possible risk factors. Key words: Syphilis, Gambella, prevalence