Epidemiology of syphilis among Hispanic women and associations with congenital syphilis, Maricopa county, Arizona.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated factors associated with high rates of congenital syphilis among Hispanic infants in Maricopa County, AZ. METHODS: Using 2004-2008 syphilis case report data from the state and county health departments, we examined characteristics of pregnant and nonpregnant women with syphilis and their male partners. RESULTS: During 2004-2008, 970 women were reported to have syphilis 49% were Hispanic (of whom 49% were non-US citizens), 27% were white, 13% were black, and 8% were American Indian/Alaskan Native. Although 16% of Hispanic noncitizens reported drug use or high-risk sexual behaviors, 64% of these women had a male sex partner who reported drug use or anonymous sex. Hispanic women with syphilis were more likely to be pregnant (37%) than white (15%) or black women (13%) (P < 0.05), and were overrepresented among pregnant women with syphilis. Pregnant Hispanic noncitizens were treated later than pregnant Hispanic citizens (median 28 weeks gestation vs. 21 weeks, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Innovative congenital syphilis prevention strategies that are relevant to Hispanic women are warranted. Strategies should address the reproductive health and prenatal care needs of Hispanic women, and may include interventions for their male partners.