This indicator serves to monitor progress toward the goal of eliminating congenital syphilis in the Region. The 2022 status of 2.69 cases per 1000 live births, compared to the 2017 baseline of 2.15 cases per 1000 live births, indicates that the situation has actually worsened (as demonstrated in Figure above). The available data reveals a consistent increase in congenital syphilis rates between the years 2000 and 2020. 

Vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis are preventable through primary prevention of HIV and syphilis infection among women of reproductive age, high coverage of quality antenatal care that includes routine HIV and syphilis screening, and effective follow-up of seropositive women and exposed infants. Without the implementation of overdue strategic and effective public health intervention programs, using both proven and novel approaches, incidence rates are projected to continue to increase through the year 2025. 

Recommendations 

• Advocate for an urgent shift in strategy for combatting congenital syphilis that champions innovation alongside traditional interventions. 

• Focus technical cooperation on providing prompt antibiotic treatment to individuals diagnosed with syphilis, combatting regional syphilis outbreaks, integrating syphilis testing into prenatal visits, and providing early syphilis detection and treatment to all pregnant women. 

• Identify and address barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing quality prenatal care. These barriers could include poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to care. 

• Prioritize the integration of digital health solutions into congenital syphilis prevention efforts. For example, telemedicine platforms can increase access to prenatal care and testing for women in remote areas or facing transportation challenges. Digital tools can also support healthcare providers by facilitating prompt reporting, follow-up, and partner notification. These solutions have the potential to streamline care delivery and improve outcomes related to congenital syphilis in a cost-effective manner. 

• Adopt robust data systems that allow for granular analysis of congenital syphilis cases. Disaggregating data by socioeconomic factors, location, and other risk indicators will help to pinpoint areas of high congenital syphilis burden, where interventions ought to be tailored. 

• Forge strong community partnerships for combatting syphilis. Engaging community health workers, traditional birth attendants, and local leaders can improve awareness about the importance of syphilis prevention, testing, and treatment. Strong strategic partnerships will ultimately enhance the reach and acceptance of health system interventions within underserved communities.