TY - JOUR T1 - Is routine antenatal screening for syphilis in Nigeria still justified clinically and economically? JF - Saudi Medical Journal JO - Saudi Med J SP - 1311 LP - 1315 VL - 30 IS - 10 AU - Mohammed Bukar AU - Bala M. Audu AU - Usman I. Takai AU - Bamidele B. Ajayi AU - Abubakar A. Kullima Y1 - 2009/10/01 UR - http://smj.org.sa/content/30/10/1311.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence and cost effectiveness of antenatal syphilis screening at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Nigeria.METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) results among pregnant women at the UMTH, Maiduguri, Nigeria, during a 10-year period (from 1st January 1999 to 31st December 2008) was undertaken.RESULTS: A total of 18,712 women registered for antenatal care during the study period. Of these, 18,101 had serological screening for syphilis. Only 12 of the 18,101 screened were seropositive by VDRL, 9 (75%) were confirmed by Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA), giving a seroprevalence rate of 0.05%. Three (25%) were biological false-positive. The peak age-specific incidence of 0.02% was in the 20-24 year-age group. There was zero prevalence in the age groups 15-19 and >40 years. There was no case of congenital syphilis seen. The cost for VDRL testing per patient in UMTH is US$2. The total amount of money spent on VDRL tests over the study period was US$37,424.CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence rate of syphilis is extremely low in this study. This calls for a review of the policy of routine antenatal serology screening for syphilis in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The seroprevalence rate of syphilis is extremely low in this study. This calls for a review of the policy of routine antenatal serology screening for syphilis in Maiduguri, Nigeria. ER -