High seroprevalence of syphilis infection among pregnant women in Public Health facilities in Shashemene town, southern Ethiopia

Background Syphilis infection is a major public health problem in developing countries including Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in Public health facilities in Shashemene town, southern Ethiopia. Method An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 230 pregnant women from the 27 th of August to the 30 th of September 2018. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-Info 7 and analyzed with SPSS Version 21. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with syphilis infection. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result The overall prevalence of syphilis infection was 22(9.6%)(95% CI, [6.1, 14.1%]). Pregnant mothers who had multiple sexual partners (AOR = 5.12, 95% CI 1.51, 17.44), abnormal vaginal discharge (AOR = 18.13 95%CI 3.66, 88.42), previous history of abortion (AOR = 5.6, 95%CI 2.03, 15.36) and previous history of stillbirth (AOR = 9.98, 95% CI: 2.85, 34.92) were among factors associated with syphilis infection. Conclusion According to this study, the magnitude of syphilis infection among pregnant mothers attending ANC was high. Pregnant mothers who had multiple sexual partners, previous history of abortion, previous history of stillbirth, and abnormal vaginal discharge were significantly associated with syphilis infection. Thus, health providers should provide comprehensive health education about syphilis transmission, signs and symptoms, and the methods of prevention as well as create awareness about the adverse outcome of getting syphilis infection.