HIV/Syphilis Dual testing
A total of 24 healthcare workers in Pwani region received the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC) three days training on HIV/Syphilis Dual testing; with support from THPS through PEPFAR CDC Afya Kwanza Program in June 2021 at Kibaha Town Center.
Training participants included District reproductive and child health coordinators from eight Pwani District Councils and RCH service providers from these councils.
According to WHO’s Global elimination of congenital syphilis: Rationale and strategy for action, syphilis remains a global problem with an estimated 12-million people infected each year. Despite the existence of effective prevention measures like condoms, and effective relatively inexpensive treatment options, pregnant women who are infected with syphilis can transmit the infection to their fetus, resulting into congenital syphilis with serious adverse outcomes of the pregnancy for up to 80% of cases.
An estimated two million pregnancies are affected annually; approximately 25% of these pregnancies end in stillbirth or spontaneous abortion. At the same time, around 25% of the newborns, present with low birth weight or serious infection features associated with an increased risk of perinatal death.
It is anticipated that through this training:
- No eligible test beneficiary will be missed for HIV/Syphilis care and treatment service.
- Increased syphilis testing coverage for pregnant women in comparison to HIV testing coverage rate.
- Improved care and treatment services among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis and or HIV.
- Reduced/eradicated syphilis related still births/abortions and or infections among pregnant women