[Vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in the municipality with the highest incidence of AIDS in Brazil: a population-based study from 2002 to 2007].

Objective: The objective of this study was to verify the prevalence and vertical transmission rate of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in pregnant women in the municipality of Itajaí, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during the 2002-2007 period.

Methods: Data were collected in a retrospective population-based longitudinal study using computerized medical records of the state and local health authorities during the 2002-2007 period for HIV, and 2004-2007 for syphilis and hepatitis B.

Results: The prevalence of HIV, acute hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B and syphilis in pregnant women was 1.7%, 0.41%, 0.46%, and 0.43%, respectively. Overall, vertical transmission of HIV was 6.28%, although it was less than 5% among women diagnosed with HIV before or during pregnancy, compared to 20% and 55% among women first diagnosed with HIV during and after delivery, respectively. Vertical transmission of syphilis was 68.89%. No trend was confirmed for the transmission rate either regarding the year of diagnosis or age group of pregnant women. Almost 44% of HIV infected pregnant women knew their HIV status before becoming pregnant; the HIV transmission rate for these women was less than 5%. No case of vertical transmission was observed for hepatitis B.

Conclusions: The vertical transmission rate for HIV was within the target of the Ministry of Health when HIV diagnosis was made during pregnancy, but increased sharply when the diagnosis was made only at delivery. Vertical transmission of syphilis was much higher than expected, showing the importance of reinforcing the procedures recommended for its reduction.