| Literature DB >> 3203929 |
L F Guinness1, S Sibandze, E McGrath, A L Cornelis.
Abstract
In a survey of 283 deliveries in Swaziland, active syphilis (positive results in the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test) was found in 37 (13.1%) and possibly active infection (positive TPHA but negative RPR test results) in a further 87 (30.7%). The perinatal mortality of untreated mothers with active disease was 21.9% (7/32). The RPR test carried out antenatally by nurses had a sensitivity of 36% (13/36) and predictive accuracy of 48% (13/27). Awareness of this incidence of syphilis led to improved antenatal clinic measures and the prophylactic treatment of all newborn infants. More comprehensive serology is discussed and the prophylactic treatment of mothers considered. The need for health education aiming at safer sexual practices is of paramount importance in a society facing the arrival of the human immunodeficiency virus.Entities:
Keywords: Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Biology; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Diseases; English Speaking Africa; Examinations And Diagnoses; Family And Household; Family Characteristics; Family Relationships; Fetal Death; Incidence; Infections; Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses; Laboratory Procedures; Maternal Mortality; Measurement; Mortality; Mothers; Parents; Population; Population Dynamics; Reproductive Tract Infections; Research Methodology; Risk Factors; Sampling Studies; Screening; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Southern Africa; Studies; Surveys; Swaziland; Syphilis; Treatment
Mesh：
Year: 1988 PMID： 3203929 PMCID： PMC1194246 DOI： 10.1136/sti.64.5.294
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Genitourin Med ISSN： 0266-4348