BAKU, August 30 — A total of 816 new cases of syphilis were diagnosed in Azerbaijan during the first seven months of this year, the State Statistics Committee told Bizim.Media.
The data reveals a marked gender imbalance: 492 cases (60.3%) were men and 324 (39.7%) were women. Among the total, 24 cases were registered in minors aged 0–17, while 792 patients were 18 or older.
Medical Concerns Over Rising Cases
Medical expert Adil Geybulla noted that both syphilis and HIV infections have been rising in the country. He explained that cases among newborns are linked to mother-to-child transmission.
“When it concerns age ‘0,’ this refers to newborns. If a woman has syphilis, it can be easily transmitted to the fetus, leading to stillbirth or serious congenital disorders. That is why treatment with penicillin-based drugs must be started immediately when syphilis is detected during pregnancy. If the infection is diagnosed in a child, urgent treatment is also necessary,” he said.
Geybulla added that early sexual activity is another factor.
“There are adolescents who become sexually active as early as 10–12 years old. Such early and unprotected encounters often carry a high risk of infection. Unfortunately, these cases are no longer isolated,” he noted.
Call for Deeper Analysis
According to the expert, the statistics demand closer investigation.
“In children under 4, congenital syphilis that went undiagnosed in time may be the cause. But cases in children aged 5–10 require detailed medical and social inquiry. A large-scale screening program would be advisable, as the real picture may be even more alarming,” Geybulla warned.
He stressed the importance of analyzing gender distribution among minors before puberty, which could help identify social risks and shed light on troubling signs circulating in society.
“More accurate and detailed statistics are essential for fully understanding the scope of the problem and for implementing effective response measures,” he said.
Source: Bizim.Media
