Patricia J García1, Elizabeth Williams, César P Cárcamo, Marina Chiappe, King K Holmes, Rosana W Peeling, David M Mabey. 1. From the *Epidemiology, STD, and HIV Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; †Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; ‡Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, University of Columbia, New York, NY; §London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: As part of an implementation research study on the feasibility of implementing point-of-care tests for syphilis in Peru, we collected information on partner treatment of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and explored womens' and health providers' knowledge and practices regarding partner notification and treatment (PNT) for maternal syphilis. METHODS: Mixed methods were used to collect information. Quantitative data were collected from consecutive pregnant women with a positive point-of-care test for syphilis. A subset participated in qualitative interviews. Health providers completed a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about PNT. RESULTS: Of the 144 seropositive women, 46 (31.9%) had concurrent patient-partner treatment. From the 98 seropositive women whose partner was not at the clinic, 33 partners (33.7%) received at least 1 dose of penicillin. The multivariate model showed that screening at the antenatal care clinic (prevalence ratio [PR], 3.84), first sex after age 16 years (PR, 0.55), and lifetime number of partners (PR, 0.55 for 2-4 partners; PR, 0.77 for >4 partners) were independently associated with treatment for the partner. Women identified the provider as key for the PNT, but less than half of the providers reported having been trained for counseling and recognize the need for defining the procedures and standardization for PNT. Providers and women both reported that men may not come for treatment once notified because of fear, distrust of the system, or barriers associated with the services. CONCLUSION: There is a need for better training of health providers, for clear and standardized processes for partner counseling, registration and follow-up, and an opportunity to introduce new technologies.
INTRODUCTION: As part of an implementation research study on the feasibility of implementing point-of-care tests for syphilis in Peru, we collected information on partner treatment of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and explored womens' and health providers' knowledge and practices regarding partner notification and treatment (PNT) for maternal syphilis. METHODS: Mixed methods were used to collect information. Quantitative data were collected from consecutive pregnant women with a positive point-of-care test for syphilis. A subset participated in qualitative interviews. Health providers completed a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about PNT. RESULTS: Of the 144 seropositive women, 46 (31.9%) had concurrent patient-partner treatment. From the 98 seropositive women whose partner was not at the clinic, 33 partners (33.7%) received at least 1 dose of penicillin. The multivariate model showed that screening at the antenatal care clinic (prevalence ratio [PR], 3.84), first sex after age 16 years (PR, 0.55), and lifetime number of partners (PR, 0.55 for 2-4 partners; PR, 0.77 for >4 partners) were independently associated with treatment for the partner. Women identified the provider as key for the PNT, but less than half of the providers reported having been trained for counseling and recognize the need for defining the procedures and standardization for PNT. Providers and women both reported that men may not come for treatment once notified because of fear, distrust of the system, or barriers associated with the services. CONCLUSION: There is a need for better training of health providers, for clear and standardized processes for partner counseling, registration and follow-up, and an opportunity to introduce new technologies.
Authors: Emma Jane Swayze; Karin Nielsen-Saines; Eddy R Segura; Eduardo Saad; Dahai Yue; Warren Scott Comulada; Mary Catherine Cambou Journal: Int J Infect Dis Date: 2021-01-02 Impact factor: 3.623
Authors: Jesse L Clark; Eddy R Segura; Catherine E Oldenburg; Hector J Salvatierra; Jessica Rios; Amaya Gabriela Perez-Brumer; Pedro Gonzales; Bhupendra Sheoran; Jorge Sanchez; Javier R Lama Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2018-07-03 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Jesse L Clark; Amaya G Perez-Brumer; Eddy R Segura; Hector J Salvatierra; Jorge Sanchez; Javier R Lama Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-09-29 Impact factor: 3.240