Predicting Emergence of Primary and Secondary Syphilis Among Women of Reproductive Age in US Counties

Abstract

Background: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause severe congenital disease when not treated during pregnancy, is on the rise in the United States. Our objective was to identify US counties with elevated risk for emergence of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis among women of reproductive age.

Methods: Using syphilis case reports, we identified counties with no cases of P&S syphilis among women of reproductive age in 2017 and 1 case or more in 2018. Using county-level syphilis and sociodemographic data, we developed a model to predict counties with emergence of P&S syphilis among women and a risk score to identify counties at elevated risk.

Results: Of 2451 counties with no cases of P&S syphilis among women of reproductive age in 2017, 345 counties (14.1%) had documented emergence of syphilis in 2018. Emergence was predicted by the county's P&S syphilis rate among men; violent crime rate; proportions of Black, White, Asian, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander persons; urbanicity; presence of a metropolitan area; population size; and having a neighboring county with P&S syphilis among women. A risk score of 20 or more identified 75% of counties with emergence.

Conclusions: Jurisdictions can identify counties at elevated risk for emergence of syphilis in women and tailor prevention efforts. Prevention of syphilis requires multidisciplinary collaboration to address underlying social factors.