Acquired syphilis in Piauí (2020–2024): an epidemiological analysis of prevalence based on DATASUS-TabNet data

Acquired syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection of bacterial origin, caused by Treponema pallidum, and remains a significant public health problem in Brazil, especially among young and sexually active populations. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of acquired syphilis in the state of Piauí from 2020 to 2024 through a cross-sectional epidemiological study using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), made available by the DATASUS-TabNet platform. Variables related to the number of confirmed cases by year of diagnosis, age group, sex, and clinical outcome were analyzed. Data were organized using Microsoft Excel® 2016 and descriptively analyzed, with support from scientific literature indexed in the PubMed database. During the study period, 3,830 cases of acquired syphilis were recorded, with the highest concentration in 2023 (1,060 notifications) and a marked reduction in 2024 (130 cases). Greater prevalence was observed among young adults aged 20 to 39 years, with a predominance of males (66.06%). Most records lacked information on clinical outcome, although a cure rate of 42.72% was observed. Deaths due to other causes exceeded those directly attributed to syphilis. These findings reinforce the persistence of acquired syphilis as a relevant health issue in the state of Piauí, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention strategies, early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and timely treatment, especially among more vulnerable groups.