Observational Time Series Study: Evolution of Rapid Testing Coverage for Syphilis in Pregnant Women in Brazil (2014–2023)

Syphilis in pregnancy is a condition with a major public health impact, mainly due to the risks of vertical transmission and its possible neonatal repercussions. Screening strategies through rapid testing have been prioritized in public policies, encouraging testing both for the pregnant woman and her partner. Although expanding testing coverage is a national goal, few studies describe the evolution of this action nationwide in recent years. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of the number of rapid syphilis tests performed in pregnant women or their partners in Brazil. This is an observational, ecological, and retrospective study based on secondary data from the Ambulatory Information System of the Unified Health System (SIA/SUS), extracted from DATASUS. Annual records of the outpatient procedure 0214010082 – Rapid Test for Syphilis in Pregnant Woman or Partner – performed in Brazil between 2018 and 2024 were included. The units of analysis were the five major geographic regions (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Center-West), in addition to the national total. Data were organized by processing year and quantified by the absolute number of approved procedures. Temporal trend analysis was performed using simple linear regression with a significance level of 5%. A total of 4,360,019 rapid syphilis tests were recorded for pregnant women or partners in Brazil between 2018 and 2024. The temporal trend analysis indicated an average annual increase of approximately 27,753 tests, with a high explanatory power (R² = 0.87) and statistical significance (p = 0.002). These findings indicate a consistent upward trend in the performance of this procedure during the study period. The study identified a statistically significant increasing trend in the performance of rapid tests for syphilis in pregnant women or their partners in Brazil between 2018 and 2024. This progress reflects the strengthening of early screening actions in primary care and the commitment of public policies to reducing congenital syphilis. The continuation and expansion of these strategies are essential for timely diagnosis, interruption of vertical transmission, and the promotion of maternal and child health throughout the country.