To examine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis in West Virginia and assess associated social vulnerabilities, highlighting the significance of these findings for public health.
Key Findings:
42.9% of pregnant women with syphilis had a past or present HCV infection, indicating a significant overlap.
Women with HCV reported higher rates of incarceration (21.7% vs 5.4%) and drug use (50.7% vs 15.2%), suggesting increased social vulnerabilities.
Lower adherence to syphilis treatment was observed in women with HCV (56.5% vs 84.8%), which may impact health outcomes.
Higher rates of congenital syphilis outcomes were reported in women with HCV (59.4% vs 28.3%), emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Interpretation:
The findings indicate a significant overlap of syphilis and HCV among pregnant women, highlighting the need for integrated care strategies to address these co-infections and associated social issues, such as substance use and incarceration.
Limitations:
Data on perinatal HCV exposure is not reportable in West Virginia, which may lead to underestimation of the issue.
Potential underreporting of syphilis and HCV cases due to screening challenges and biases in data collection.
Conclusion:
Addressing the co-infection of syphilis and HCV in pregnant women is critical for improving maternal and infant health outcomes, necessitating enhanced screening and treatment strategies, particularly for socially vulnerable populations.
