Seroprevalence and factors associated with Syphilis infection among pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS in Mtwara region, Tanzania

Background: Several studies in developing countries have shown that syphilis in pregnancy is a public health problem leading to perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, data on syphilis is limited in Tanzania and especially among pregnant women living with HIV. Methodology: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS (LWHIV) in selected health facilities in Mtwara region. A structured questionnaire was used to collect clinical information from the study participants. A 4 mls of blood was collected for Syphilis screening and confirmatory tests using rapid tests and automated ELISA tests respectively. Results: Two hundred and twenty (n=220) pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 32.7 years (IQR: 27.6-37.6). The majority (45.5%) of the participants were married, 71.4% had primary education, 47.7% were unemployed, 77.7% were multigravida and 40.5% were in second trimester. The seroprevalence of Syphilis infection and Syphilis-hepatitis B co-infection was 10.9% and 5.9 respectively. In this study, being in the second trimester of gestation period [aOR=5.69: 95% CI 1.44-22.46, p=0.013] and being infected with hepatitis B [aOR=31.39: 95% CI 9.45-104.23, p Conclusion: Seroprevalence of Syphilis infection and Syphilis-hepatitis B co-infection is 10.9% and 5.9 respectively. Additionally, being in the second trimester and being infected with HBV are factors associated with Syphilis infection among PWLHIV in Mtwara region. Therefore, scaling up Syphilis screening is crucial to prevent vertical transmission.