Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Science and Human Ecology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Neal Malik

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that mostly affects individuals from a lower income status. San Bernardino County has a high poverty rate and a high rate of Congenital Syphilis. Pregnant women who test positive for Syphilis run the risk of passing the infection on to the fetus. Babies born with Congenital Syphilis may experience many complications, and therefore, the treatment is more intense. The best prevention for Congenital Syphilis is regular screening during pregnancy.

Methods: This study used quantitative research based on secondary data collected from San Bernardino County, Department of Public Health. Data were gathered by an epidemiologist using the database CalREDIE and included the year when the mom and baby tested positive for Syphilis, the resolution status, and final disposition.

Results: The sample included 514 pregnant women. Data revealed an increase in Syphilis cases between 2016 and 2021. A chi-square test was used to determine that statistically significant differences in the frequencies of reported Syphilis cases between those treated. However, there was no significant difference between the groups of women who tested positive each year, as well as no significant difference between the groups of congenital Syphilis cases each year.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that in the past seven years, the number of positive Syphilis tests in women and babies in San Bernardino County have increased. However, the fact that additional tests are being ordered suggests regular screening, which is the best preventative measure for Congenital Syphilis. These data can help influence the reproductive health of many women as well as the long-term health of their babies.

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