1. Lessons learned from integrating simultaneous triple point-of-care screening for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV in prenatal services through rural outreach teams in Guatemala.
- Author
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Smith A, Sabidó M, Camey E, Batres A, and Casabona J
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Community-Institutional Relations, Female, Guatemala, HIV Infections diagnosis, HIV Infections transmission, Hepatitis B diagnosis, Hepatitis B transmission, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious immunology, Prenatal Care methods, Prenatal Diagnosis methods, Rural Population statistics & numerical data, Syphilis diagnosis, Syphilis transmission, Young Adult, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical prevention & control, Point-of-Care Testing statistics & numerical data, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious diagnosis, Prenatal Diagnosis statistics & numerical data, Program Evaluation statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a challenge in Guatemala, especially in rural regions. A triple antenatal screening program for these infections using point-of-care (POC) testing offered through outreach teams was implemented in the municipality of Puerto de San José. One year following program implementation, antenatal care coverage increased to 99.6% (32.5% increase, P<0.001), testing uptake increased to 50.3% for HIV and syphilis (143.9% (P<0.001) and 1.3% (P=0.89) increase, respectively), and HBV testing increased from 0 to 42.2%. Lessons learned showed that, despite the expansion of triple antenatal POC screening in rural Guatemala, a shortage of healthcare workers and poor supply chain management limited screening uptake. Moreover, training is essential to help health workers overcome their fear of communicating positive results and improve partner notification. Engagement of community health workers was essential to build local capacity and facilitate community acceptance., (Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2015
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