OBJECTIVES: evaluate congenital syphilis elimination campaigns launched in the city of Rio de Janeiro between 1999 and 2000 pursuing the identification of successes and failures during and following the proposed intervention. METHODS: A theoretical logical model was used as the basis for effectiveness evaluation. RESULTS: following the design of a logical model for campaigns, ratings were introduced where possible plus a final column showing whether evaluation was possible. There were two outstanding issues in this evaluation: the quality of assistance rendered by the municipal prenatal and child care network to children exposed to vertical transmission of congenital syphilis, and epidemiological congenital syphilis surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: the model could contribute to build an evaluation culture within health departments, showing that only when healthcare services adopt practices of in-depth analyses of their programs can they benefit from the interventions accomplished, using the resources available the best way possible favoring public health. In the specific case of syphilis, to render visibility to health issues and to reorganize healthcare, surveillance and diagnostic services are fundamental, low cost and have a positive impact on perinatal results.
Syphilis; congenital; Evaluation; Health promotion; Models theoretical; Effectiveness
