DSpace Repository

Rapid Syphilis Tests as Catalysts for Health Systems Strengthening: A Case Study from Peru

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author Garcia Funegra, Patricia Jannet
dc.contributor.author Cárcamo Cavagnaro, César Paul Eugenio
dc.contributor.author Chiappe Gutierrez, Marina Angelica
dc.contributor.author Valderrama, Maria
dc.contributor.author La Rosa, Sayda
dc.contributor.author Holmes, King K.
dc.contributor.author Mabey, David C. W.
dc.contributor.author Peeling, Rosanna W.
dc.date.accessioned 2022-01-04T20:31:49Z
dc.date.available 2022-01-04T20:31:49Z
dc.date.issued 2013
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12866/10693
dc.description.abstract Objectives: Untreated maternal syphilis leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The use of point of care tests (POCT) offers an opportunity to improve screening coverage for syphilis and other aspects of health systems. Our Objetive: is to present the experience of the introduction of POCT for syphilis in Peru and describe how new technology can catalyze health system strengthening. Methods: The study was implemented from September 2009–November 2010 to assess the feasibility of the use of a POCT for syphilis for screening pregnant women in Lima, Peru. Outcomes measured included access to syphilis screening, treatment coverage, partner treatment, effect on patient flow and service efficiency, acceptability among providers and patients, and sustainability. Results: Before the introduction of POCT, a pregnant woman needed 6 visits to the health center in 27 days before she received her syphilis result. We trained 604 health providers and implemented the POCT for syphilis as the “two for one strategy”, offering with one finger stick both syphilis and HIV testing. Implementation of the POCT resulted in testing and treatment on the first visit. Screening and treatment coverages for syphilis improved significantly compared with the previous year. Implementation of POCT has been scaled up nationally since the study ended, and coverages for screening, treatment and partner treatment have remained over 92%. Conclusions: Implementation of POCT for syphilis proved feasible and acceptable, and led to improvement in several aspects of health services. For the process to be effective we highlight the importance of: (1) engaging the authorities; (2) dissipating tensions between providers and identifying champions; (3) training according to the needs; (4) providing monitoring, supervision, support and recognition; (5) sharing results and discussing actions together; (6) consulting and obtaining feedback from users; and (7) integrating with other services such as with rapid HIV testing. en_US
dc.language.iso eng
dc.publisher Public Library of Science
dc.relation.ispartofseries PLoS ONE
dc.rights info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.rights.uri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.es
dc.subject Humans en_US
dc.subject Peru en_US
dc.subject Mass Screening en_US
dc.subject Time Factors en_US
dc.subject Feasibility Studies en_US
dc.subject Health Personnel en_US
dc.subject Penicillins Point-of-Care Testing en_US
dc.subject Pregnancy Complications en_US
dc.subject Prenatal Care en_US
dc.subject Syphilis en_US
dc.title Rapid Syphilis Tests as Catalysts for Health Systems Strengthening: A Case Study from Peru en_US
dc.type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.identifier.doi https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066905
dc.subject.ocde https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.02.15
dc.relation.issn 1932-6203


Files in this item

Files Size Format View

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess

Search DSpace


Browse

My Account

Statistics