Abstract

PIP: Currently in Africa, the problems associated with syphilis and gonorrhea during pregnancy are strikingly reminiscent of those faced by the western world in the early 1900s. Based on a literature review, the prevalence of syphilis seroreactivity in pregnant women in many parts of Africa is at least 10%. Assuming this level of seroreactivity, 5-8% of all pregnancies surviving past 12 weeks will have an adverse outcome caused by syphilis--a spontaneous abortion, a perinatal or infant death, or a living syphilitic infant. Findings on gonorrhea during pregnancy are almost as startling. The prevalence of gonorrhea in pregnant women in many parts of Africa is at least 10% with some areas approaching 20%. The incidence of gonococcal opthalmia neonatorum in newborns appears to commonly be between 2-4%. The author's recommend both commitment of health resources to STD prevention and control initiatives in Africa and additional research into the cost effectiveness of different prevention and control approaches. (author's)