Publication Date:
01 Dec 2007
Citation:
Gloyd S, Montoya P, Floriano F, Chadreque MC, Pfeiffer J, Gimbel-Sherr K. (2007). Scaling up Antenatal Syphilis Screening in Mozambique: Transforming Policy into Action. Sex Transm Dis. 34(7 Suppl ), S31-36. doi: 10.1097/01.olq.0000264586.49616.72
Abstract
Objectives: This paper examines the decade-long scale-up process of antenatal syphilis screening through Mozambique’s National Health System.
Goal: The primary goal is to provide lessons learned in the provision of integrated antenatal care resource-poor settings and identify key challenges to successful scale-up.
Study Design: We documented health systems activities associated with improvements in the proportion of women tested, treated, and partners treated for syphilis.
Results: The proportion of women in antenatal visit screened for syphilis in the two target provinces has risen from 5% in 1992 to between 60% and 95% consistently since 1999. This success required multiple levels of health system strengthening.
Conclusions: The Mozambique experience shows that key elements to effective antenatal syphilis screening include adequate workforce, facilities, coherent systems of care, community involvement, donor management, advocacy, and leadership.