Syphilis in the Pleven region, Bulgaria: a retrospective study

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection whose significance to public health has not lost its relevance. Changes in the epidemiology of the disease have been observed in the last decade. This study describes syphilis trends in the Pleven region (Bulgaria). Methods: Data from 2009 to 2018 were extracted from the National Center for Public Health and Analyses in Sofia and the Regional Health Inspectorate in Pleven and analyzed. Results: There were 3,602 cases of syphilis during the 10-year period in Bulgaria. The incidence rate (per 100,000) during the period observed varied from 4.2 in 2011 to a maximum rate of 7.5 in 2017. For the same period, 119 cases of syphilis were reported in the Pleven region, with highest incidence rate registered in 2009 (7.2), and the lowest rate registered in 2014 (2.6). The disease was more common in men. All ages are affected, but the largest group is 25 to 29 years old. During the study period, 219 cases of congenital syphilis were registered in the country, three of them in Pleven region. Conclusions: Retrospective observational data confirmed a rising trend in syphilis cases, especially among younger people. Further study of risk groups and the expansion of promotional activities among adolescents is needed.