EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ACQUIRED SYPHILIS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF RECIFE (PE), BRAZIL, BETWEEN 2013 AND 2023

Acquired syphilis is a notifiable sexually transmitted infection (STI) of increasing epidemiological relevance in Brazil. Despite national campaigns for screening, prevention, and diagnosis, its incidence remains high, especially in large urban centers. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of confirmed acquired syphilis cases in Recife (PE) between 2013 and 2023. Ecological, descriptive, retrospective study with analysis of secondary data extracted from SINAN via TABNET/DATASUS. Variables considered were year and month of notification, sex, age group, race/color, schooling, and pregnancy status. Data were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. A total of 17,564 confirmed cases of acquired syphilis were recorded in Recife between 2013 and 2023. Progressive growth was observed from 2018, with peaks in 2022 (3,472 cases; 19.7%) and 2023 (3,517 cases; 20%). Distribution by sex showed a higher frequency in males (11,917; 67.8%), followed by females (5,639; 32.1%). The most affected age group was 20–39 years (9,963; 56.7%), followed by 40–59 years (4,776; 27.2%). Children and adolescents up to 19 years represented 6% of cases (1,068). By race/color, there was predominance of mixed-race individuals (8,050; 45.8%), followed by White (1,999; 11.3%) and Black (1,528; 8.7%). The unknown/blank category totaled 5,861 cases (33.4%). Regarding schooling, 57.8% of records were unknown or blank (10,168). Among valid data, completed high school was most frequent (2,481; 14.1%), followed by completed higher education (1,075; 6.1%) and incomplete high school (624; 3.6%). Monthly distribution showed a slight increase between July and December, notably July (1,699; 9.6%), October (1,639; 9.3%), November (1,632; 9.3%), and December (1,527; 8.6%). Regarding pregnancy status, of the 17,564 confirmed cases, 1,037 (5.9%) occurred in pregnant women. Acquired syphilis in Recife shows a growth trend, especially in the past five years. The largest number of cases occurred in young, mixed-race men with low or incomplete schooling. The data reinforce the need for strategies focused on active testing, combination prevention, and health education.