“The Challenge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Indonesia: Hepatitis B and Syphilis Transmission and Prevention”

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and hepatitis B are still a challenge for Indonesia. As is known, both of them have similarities in terms of the transmission process.

Syphilis can be transmitted through sexual activity from painless sores on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The bacteria that cause syphilis can spread through mucous membranes.

Likewise with hepatitis B which can be transmitted through fluids from the body of a positive patient through sexual activity. Such as making contact with the patient’s body fluids such as blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, sperm fluids, and other body fluids.

What’s more, syphilis and hepatitis B can both be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus or baby in the womb.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) said that Indonesia is included in the list of 20 countries with the largest cases of hepatitis B in the world.

Hepatitis B is a priority in Indonesia

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammad Syahril revealed, Indonesia is in the third largest position out of 20 other countries. That is why hepatitis B is also a priority for the government.

According to him, it is important to prevent hepatitis B through early detection. Especially for pregnant women who are at risk of transmitting it to their babies.

“Severing or preventing it as early as possible is the government’s priority at this time. Especially for hepatitis B, early detection is carried out at least 80 percent of pregnant women are examined, it has been integrated with HIV and syphilis,” said Syahril in a press conference titled Protecting Children from Hepatitis B Infectious Disease written Wednesday, (17/5/2023).