KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE

Introduction and objectives: congenital syphilis (CS) is caused by the mother to child transmission of syphilis during pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. CS can be controlled by the identification and treatment of infected women during pregnancy. However, the rate of CS in Brazil was 4.7 per 1000 live births in 2014, a value 10 times higher than the elimination goal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of health professionals from the Family Health Strategy (FHS) of Teresina, a municipality with 90% coverture of FHS in the Northeast region of Brazil. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted in 2015 with 366 nurses and doctors corresponding to 70.9% of the eligible professionals that worked in the 89 primary care units of Teresina. A self-reported questionnaire containing information of KPA and barriers and suggestions for improvements was used. Descriptive and bivariate analyses with the use of the chi-square test were performed. Results and conclusions: Errors in routine screening during prenatal care, in treatment of the infected women, in cure control, in the approach of partners and problems in the application of penicillin were identified. Poor knowledge of diagnostic tests available and of the epidemiological profile of the disease was also verified. Early identification of pregnant women, implementation of rapid tests in primary care, ensuring treatment of pregnant women with penicillin, training on clinical management and counseling, and educational activities with users are essential proposals to eliminate congenital syphilis.