EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SYPHILIS ACQUIRED IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL FROM 2011 AND 2021

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections are among society's most recurring public health dilemmas. Syphilis is an infectious disease, exclusive to humans, transmitted through unprepared sexual contact. It is estimated that annually, 11 million new cases of syphilis occur in adults aged 15 to 49 years worldwide. The objective of the research was to identify the epidemiological profile of syphilis acquired in the states of the Northern Region of Brazil, between the years 2011 and 2021. This is an observational research, with a quantitative approach, and retrospective, with data collection from the SINAN, available on DATASUS. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed: sex, age, race, education level and diagnostic criteria. It was found that between 2011 and 2021, in the states of the Northern Region of Brazil, 50,810 cases of acquired syphilis were reported. The state of Amazonas had the highest notification rate with 18,709 (36.82%) cases, followed by the state of Pará with 13,102 (25.79%) notifications and Tocantins with 6,728 (13.24%) reported cases. The year 2018 presented the highest incidence rate of the period, decreasing from 2019. Thus, the profile of syphilis acquired in the North Region was: male individuals, aged between 20 and 39 years, mixed race, with unknown education, and in relation to the diagnostic criteria, laboratory diagnosis presented the highest rate of notifications. In this way, the need to promote actions with the aim of clarifying sexual health and offering effective measures to combat syphilis in the most affected population is evident, as well as it is essential to reevaluate the mandatory fields for filling out the notification and investigation forms of the SINAN, as they represent an essential source for determining health indicators.