OBJECTIVES: This study examined the decentralization of syphilis screening for improved care in Jamaican public clinics. METHODS: One of every five serum samples tested at the six peripheral sites was frozen and retested at the central laboratory in Kingston. Patient files and laboratory logbooks were compared over a 3-month period. RESULTS: Between May 1993 and December 1994, 15.5% of 32913 patients with sexually transmitted diseases and 8.3% of 8914 women seeking prenatal care were found syphilis seroreactive. Of 2001 samples evaluated, 1933 (96.6%) had been correctly reported at the peripheral sites. Of 129 syphilis seroreactors detected at the peripheral sites, 88 (68%) were treated the same day and 21 (16%) more within 3 days after testing. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis seroreactors were accurately detected and quickly treated at the peripheral sites. If these efforts can be sustained, Jamaican syphilis rates should decrease.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the decentralization of syphilis screening for improved care in Jamaican public clinics. METHODS: One of every five serum samples tested at the six peripheral sites was frozen and retested at the central laboratory in Kingston. Patient files and laboratory logbooks were compared over a 3-month period. RESULTS: Between May 1993 and December 1994, 15.5% of 32913 patients with sexually transmitted diseases and 8.3% of 8914 women seeking prenatal care were found syphilis seroreactive. Of 2001 samples evaluated, 1933 (96.6%) had been correctly reported at the peripheral sites. Of 129 syphilis seroreactors detected at the peripheral sites, 88 (68%) were treated the same day and 21 (16%) more within 3 days after testing. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis seroreactors were accurately detected and quickly treated at the peripheral sites. If these efforts can be sustained, Jamaican syphilis rates should decrease.
Authors: D E Pettit; S A Larsen; P S Harbec; J C Feeley; C E Parham; D D Cruce; E A Hambie; M W Perryman Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1983-11 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: F Jenniskens; E Obwaka; S Kirisuah; S Moses; F M Yusufali; J O Achola; L Fransen; M Laga; M Temmerman Journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Date: 1995-06 Impact factor: 3.561
Authors: Daniel W Fitzgerald; Frieda Behets; Johanne Preval; Lauren Schulwolf; Vidya Bommi; Pascal Chaillet Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 9.308