Vol. 42 No. 6 (2025): December (next Issue)
Original Article

Epidemiological characterization of syphilis trends in Chile, 2018–2022

  • benjamin cruz mondaca,
  • Mariel Gaete Urrutia,
  • Elsa Carmona Soto,
  • María José Castillo Muñoz,
  • Sophia Codocedo González,
  • Fabián Araya Galleguillos
benjamin cruz mondaca
Departamento de Medicina UDA
Mariel Gaete Urrutia
Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile.
Elsa Carmona Soto
. Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile
María José Castillo Muñoz
Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile.
Sophia Codocedo González
Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile
Fabián Araya Galleguillos
Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó, Chile

Published 2025-11-10

Keywords

How to Cite

1.
cruz mondaca benjamin, Gaete Urrutia M, Carmona Soto E, Castillo Muñoz MJ, Codocedo González S, Araya Galleguillos F. Epidemiological characterization of syphilis trends in Chile, 2018–2022. Rev. Chilena. Infectol. [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 10 [cited 2025 Nov. 25];42(6). Available from: https://revinf.cl/index.php/revinf/article/view/2492

Copyright (c) 2025 benjamin cruz mondaca, Mariel Gaete, Elsa Carmona, María José Castillo, Sophia Codocedo, Fabián Araya

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Background: Syphilis has reemerged as a significant public health issue in Chile.  This study analyzes trends and the sociodemographic distribution of cases reported 2018-2022, including co-infections and behavioral factors. Aim: To characterize the epidemiological trends of syphilis in Chile between 2018 and 2022 and describe associated demographic and clinical factors.  Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with an ecological component, based on the EPIVIGILA national registry (2018-2022). Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral variables were analyzed; rates per 100,000 inhabitants-year were estimated using projections from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The associations were evaluated with ꭓ2 (p<0.05). Results: There were 38,467 reported cases of syphilis, predominantly in its early stages (51.6%) and in men (65%).  Coinfection with other STIs was 34.2%. Only 6.3% reported consistent condom use. 19.5% of cases involved foreigners. Regional disparities in incidence rates were observed. Conclusion: Syphilis continues to rise in Chile, especially among young men and the migrant population, with significant regional disparities. The findings support the need for targeted strategies that include sociodemographic and behavioral factors.