Simultaneous triple point-of-care testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus to prevent mother-to-child transmission in India.
An innovative simultaneous triple point-of-care (STPOC) screening strategy for syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV with Determine(®) tests was offered to pregnant women presenting for antenatal care and evaluated for feasibility and preference in rural India. Of 1066 participants approached, 1046 consented, of which 1002 (96.0%) completed the strategy. Only 9% reported any history of testing in their current pregnancy. With STPOC screening, 989 women (98.7%) tested negative and 13 had preliminary positive results for infection. The total time taken was 45 minutes per participant. Mothers and infants were provided prophylaxis/treatment for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, with interventions initiated within 3-5 days. STPOC was preferred by 99.3% (95%CI: 98.8-99.8%) of participants, facilitated early simultaneous screening for the three infections, timely initiation of prophylaxis/treatment and was feasible in this rural setting. These data suggest that multiplexed STPOC screening for syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV in pregnancy would be desirable for women in rural India.
Division of Clinical Epidemiology & Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. nitika.pai@mcgill.ca
N P
NP
Pai
J
J
Kurji
A
A
Singam
R
R
Barick
Y
Y
Jafari
M B
MB
Klein
S
S
Chhabra
P
P
Shivkumar
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors