Congenital Syphilis is preventable; However, Alabama continues to experience a record notable increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2018. Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the infection to their unborn baby. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, hydrops fetalis, or infant death shortly after birth. Effective prevention of congenital syphilis depends on early detection of syphilis in pregnant women and adequate treatment at least 30 days before delivery.
Learning objectives:
- Identify the various missed opportunities for congenital syphilis prevention in Alabama.
- Establish prenatal syphilis testing and adequate treatment for syphilis in pregnant women and their partners as standard of care.
- Collaborate with the Alabama Department of Public Health to enforce CS prevention efforts.
This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health part of the Region IV Public Health Training Center, the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).
The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 7/10/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs.
Dr. Agnes Oberkor, DrPH, MPH, MSN, CRNP-PC
Agnes Oberkor, DrPH, MPH, MSN, CRNP-PC, is the congenital syphilis coordinator, clinical consultant for sexually transmitted infections, and the lead trainer of the Alabama Department of Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Control and prevention. She is a board-certified registered nurse practitioner and a registered nurse. Dr. Oberkor’s primary interests are program improvement, training clinical staff in STD patient management, and writing clinic protocols. She is particularly interested in methods for understanding healthcare providers’ knowledge in STD prevention, especially syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis. Dr. Oberkor holds a BSN from Auburn University, Montgomery, an MSN and MPH from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a Dr.PH in Health Advocacy and Leadership from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Her research was on quality improvement in public health programs. She coordinated the Expedited Partner Therapy policy and got approval for ADPH clinicians in 2014 and for all healthcare providers in 2024. Dr. Oberkor received the NCSD Public Health Policy Academy training in 2016.
