PREnatal Syphilis Point-of-care Screening in an Urban Low-barrier Clinic: A Prospective Single Arm Feasibility Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the feasibility of implementing a rapid finger-prick blood test for syphilis and HIV in a low-barrier prenatal clinic. This test provides results in 5 minutes and aims to improve timely diagnosis and treatment for pregnant people at risk of syphilis and their sexual partners. The study focuses on whether the test is accepted by patients, how well healthcare providers perform it, and if it speeds up treatment initiation. The study will offer the point-of-care syphilis/HIV test to pregnant clients with at least one risk factor for syphilis and to sexual partners of syphilis-positive pregnant clients. The test is part of regular care in an urban clinic and uses a finger-prick blood sample to deliver rapid results. No control group is used; instead, baseline data from previous clinic records will be compared with data collected during the study period. Participants will be asked about their experience with the test and their reasons for accepting or declining it. The study will collect information on health, pregnancy, and syphilis treatment if applicable. Researchers will monitor how many clients accept testing, test performance by clinicians, treatment timeliness, and communication of results. The overall participation period spans from initial testing through pregnancy and treatment follow-up, lasting up to 8 months for some outcomes.

The Feasibility of Implementing Syphilis Point-of-care Testing Into a Prenatal Clinic for People Facing Barriers to Care