Towards elimination of parent-to-child transmission of syphilis in India: a rapid situation review to inform national strategy.
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Date
2015-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
In February 2015, India’s National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, launched a national strategy towards elimination of parentto-
child transmission (E-PTCT) of syphilis, with a goal to reduce the incidence
of congenital syphilis to 0.3 cases per 1000 live births by 2017. As part of the
development of the national strategy, a rapid situation analysis was undertaken
to ascertain the current practices, challenges and barriers for E-PTCT of syphilis
in India. The analysis was conducted during February and March 2014 in five
states selected from five different regions of India. Key informant interviews were
conducted with key stakeholders at facility, state and district level. Content analysis
was used to identify the themes. Key barriers identified for E-PTCT of syphilis
were: low priority for antenatal syphilis testing among providers, limited access to
testing, untrained human resources, shortage of test kits and benzathine penicillin,
nonadherence to the national protocol for syphilis testing, and poor recording and
reporting of antenatal syphilis data. The analysis also identified opportunities
for functional integration of E-PTCT within existing maternal and child health
programmes. Health-care providers and programme managers expressed a
need for training in the programme for E-PTCT of syphilis. The situation analysis
identified that, for successful implementation of E-PTCT of syphilis, it is essential
that state and district programme managers adopt this initiative; coordinate the
programme; plan for an adequate budget in their programme implementation plan;
ensure an uninterrupted supply of standardized diagnostics kits and drugs at all
levels of health care; and adhere to E-PTCT guidelines when implementing the
programme.
Description
Keywords
challenge, congenital syphilis, India, pregnant women, syphilis elimination
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2015;4(2): 197-203.