These are the Provinces with the Highest Number of Syphilis Cases Nationally in 2022; Papua Tops the List

The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) reported 20,783 syphilis cases in Indonesia in 2022. This figure represents a 70% increase compared to 2018, when 12,484 cases were recorded.

This disease, caused by the bacterium *Treponema pallidum*, stems from risky sexual behaviors, including oral and anal sex.

Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Imran Pambudi, stated that the increase in syphilis screenings contributed to the rise in reported cases.

"From a program perspective, this is positive because the more cases we find, the more people we can treat, preventing further transmission, especially to pregnant mothers who can pass it on to their babies," said Imran, as quoted by *CNNIndonesia.com* on Thursday (11/5/2023).

Based on age group, the majority of syphilis patients (63%) were aged 25-49 years. The 20-24 age group accounted for 23%, and the 15-19 age group for 6%.

Furthermore, 5% of patients were over 50 years old. Syphilis was also found in children: 3% under 4 years old and 0.24% aged 5-15 years.

Regarding gender, 54% of syphilis patients were male, while 46% were female.

Despite the increase in syphilis cases, Kemenkes assures that Indonesia has sufficient stockpiles of syphilis medication.

"The supply of syphilis medication is secure amidst the increase in cases. There is no medication crisis," stated Siti Nadia Tarmizi, Head of the Public Communication and Service Bureau at Kemenkes.

Nadia added that the medications used to treat syphilis are readily available, including benzathine penicillin, erythromycin, and doxycycline.

The 8 Provinces with the Highest Number of Syphilis Cases in Indonesia in 2022:

1. Papua: Papua recorded the highest number of syphilis cases in Indonesia, with 3,864 positive cases out of 34,625 individuals tested. 2,373 of these cases received treatment.

2. West Java: West Java ranked second nationally with 3,186 positive syphilis cases out of 305,816 individuals tested. However, only 1,500 positive cases received treatment.

3. Jakarta: Jakarta recorded 1,897 syphilis cases from a total of 71,037 screenings. Only 1,343 cases received treatment.

4. West Papua: West Papua ranked fourth with 1,816 positive syphilis cases out of 9,659 screenings. Only 940 cases received treatment.

5. Bali: Bali recorded 1,300 syphilis cases from 53,876 individuals tested. 1,040 of these cases received treatment.

6. Banten: Banten had 1,145 syphilis cases from a total of 63,451 individuals tested. 1,088 cases received treatment.

7. East Java: East Java recorded 1,003 syphilis cases from 273,479 syphilis screenings. 884 cases received treatment.

8. North Sumatra: North Sumatra is the only other province in the top eight with 770 syphilis cases from 48,922 screenings. 542 cases received treatment.