Prevention and Awareness of Syphilis: Education for Youths Aged 13 to 17 Years

Syphilis is a chronic and curable bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, with predominantly sexual transmission. Despite the therapeutic effectiveness known for centuries, it remains a relevant public health challenge. In 2023, 242,826 cases were reported in Brazil. Of these, 33.6% were between 13 and 19 years old and 32.6% between 20 and 29 years¹. Among those notified, 54.0% self-identified as Black¹, revealing the impact of social and racial inequalities on the distribution of the infection. To analyze knowledge related to syphilis among youths aged 13 to 17 years and to promote health education in public schools in the municipality of Mauá, São Paulo. Quali-quantitative approach structured in three stages: (1) initial application of a questionnaire; (2) an educational intervention; and (3) re-application of the questionnaire for comparative analysis and evaluation of the impact of the action. The sample comprised 373 adolescents from two public schools in the municipality of Mauá. Among the youths interviewed, 50.41% reported having already initiated sexual life and, among these, 55.6% said they had not used condoms. Only 36.02% had received sex education at home, while 38.97% had access to this content at school. Before the educational intervention, only 52.01% knew what syphilis is, a percentage that increased to 94.13% after the action. Initially, 52.97% believed reinfection by the disease was not possible; after the intervention, 91.25% came to recognize this possibility. Knowledge about transmission via contaminated needles increased from 54.05% to 89.58%. Furthermore, only 14.94% knew how syphilis is diagnosed before the intervention, a number that increased to 80.06% after the educational activity. Structured educational interventions carried out in the school environment can promote significant gains in the level of knowledge, attitudes and risk perception among adolescents in relation to syphilis. The expressive increase in awareness of transmission routes, possibility of reinfection and diagnosis after the educational action reinforces the strategic role of health education as a tool for promoting sexual and reproductive health.