Mother‐to‐child‐transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a challenge in Guatemala, especially in rural regions. A triple antenatal screening program for these infections using point‐of‐care (POC) testing offered through outreach teams was implemented in the municipality of Puerto de San José. One year following program implementation, antenatal care coverage increased to 99.6% (32.5% increase, P < 0.001), testing uptake increased to 50.3% for HIV and syphilis (143.9% (P < 0.001) and 1.3% (P = 0.89) increase, respectively), and HBV testing increased from 0 to 42.2%. Lessons learned showed that, despite the expansion of triple antenatal POC screening in rural Guatemala, a shortage of healthcare workers and poor supply chain management limited screening uptake. Moreover, training is essential to help health workers overcome their fear of communicating positive results and improve partner notification. Engagement of community health workers was essential to build local capacity and facilitate community acceptance.

Contextual factors shape the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. We estimated the prevalence of both infections among indigenous people in nine indigenous health districts of the Brazilian Amazon and examined the context of community vulnerability to acquiring these infections. We trained 509 health care workers to screen sexually active populations in the community for syphilis and HIV using rapid testing (RT). We then assessed the prevalence of HIV and syphilis using RT. A multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with syphilis infection (sociodemographic, condom use, intrusion, population mobility, and violence). Of the 45,967 indigenous people tested, the mean age was 22.5 years (standard deviation: 9.2), and 56.5% were female. Overall, for HIV, the prevalence was 0.13% (57/43,221), and for syphilis, the prevalence was 1.82% (745/40,934). The prevalence in men, women, and pregnant women for HIV was 0.16%, 0.11%, and 0.07%, respectively, and for syphilis, it was 2.23%, 1.51%, and 1.52%, respectively. The district Vale do Javari had the highest prevalence of both infections (HIV: 3.38%, syphilis: 1.39%). This district also had the highest population mobility and intrusion and the lowest availability of prenatal services. Syphilis infection was independently associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.05), male sex (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.14–1.52), and mobility (moderate: OR: 7.46, 95% CI: 2.69–20.67; high: OR 7.09, 95% CI: 3.79–13.26). The large-scale integration of RT in remote areas increased case detection among pregnant women, especially for syphilis, in districts with higher vulnerability. Mobility is an important risk factor, especially in districts with higher vulnerability. Contextually appropriate approaches that address this factor could contribute to the long-term success of HIV and syphilis control programs.

We evaluated an immunochromatographic point-of-care (POC) syphilis test in 712 pregnant women under field conditions in remote communities of the Amazon region (Brazil), and identified risk factors for syphilis. Women were screened by POC test using whole blood obtained by fingerprick, the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs) test as the gold standard and the Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (VDRL) test to determine test performance in active syphilis. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with syphilis infection. Among women, 2.2% had syphilis (positive FTA-Abs) and 0.8% active syphilis (FTA-Abs and VDRL positive). In all, 2.2% of samples were positive by the POC test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.6–81.5), 99.1% (95% CI: 98.1–99.6), 62.5% (95% CI: 38.6–81.5) and 99.1% (95% CI: 98.1–99.6), respectively. The POC test identified 62.5% (10/16) of syphilis cases, 66.7% (4/6) of active syphilis cases and all high-titre syphilis cases (VDRL > 1:8). Older age was associated with syphilis infection. The rapid test performed moderately well as a screening tool for low-risk populations. This combined with on-site testing and same day treatment could expand antenatal syphilis screening programmes in distant communities characterized by difficult access to antenatal services and infrequent clinical follow-up visits.

We assessed the acceptability and operational suitability of a rapid point-of-care syphilis test and identified barriers to testing among high-risk groups and healthcare professionals in a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Manaus, Brazil. Use of this test could considerably alleviate the impact of syphilis in hard-to-reach populations in the Amazon region of Brazil.

Background This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HIV among pregnant women in Brazil and to describe HIV testing coverage and the uptake of antenatal care (ANC). Methods Between October 2010 and January 2012, a probability sample survey of parturient women aged 15–49 years who visited public hospital delivery services in Brazil was conducted. Data were collected from prenatal reports and hospital records. Dried blood spot (DNS) samples were collected and tested for HIV. We describe the age-specific prevalence of HIV infection and ANC uptake with respect to sociodemographic factors. Results Of the 36,713 included women, 35,444 (96.6%) were tested for HIV during delivery admission. The overall HIV prevalence was of 0.38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–0.48), and it was highest in: the 30 to 39 year-old age group (0.60% [0.40–0.88]), in the Southern region of Brazil (0.79% [0.59–1.04]), among women who had not completed primary (0.63% [0.30–1.31]) or secondary (0.67% [0.49–0.97]) school education, and among women who self-reported as Asian (0.94% [0.28–3.10]). The HIV testing coverage during prenatal care was of 86.6% for one test and of 38.2% for two tests. Overall, 98.5% of women attended at least 1 ANC visit, 90.4% attended at least 4 visits, 71% attended at least 6 visits, and 51.7% received ANC during the 1st trimester. HIV testing coverage and ANC uptake indicators increased with increasing age and education level of education, and were highest in the Southern region. Conclusions Brazil presents an HIV prevalence of less than 1% and almost universal coverage of ANC. However, gaps in HIV testing and ANC during the first trimester challenge the prevention of the vertical transmission of HIV. More efforts are needed to address regional and social disparities. Introdução Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar a soroprevalência do HIV entre as mulheres grávidas no Brasil e descrever a cobertura de exames de HIV e a integração dos cuidados pré-natais (CPN). Métodos Entre outubro de 2010 e janeiro de 2012, foi realizada uma pesquisa de probabilidade por amostragem direcionada a mulheres grávidas com idade entre 15 e 49 anos, que utilizaram serviços de parto em hospitais públicos do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados a partir de relatórios pré-natais e registros hospitalares. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas e submetidas a exames de HIV. Descrevemos a prevalência da infecção pelo HIV específica de acordo com a idade e a absorção dos CPN em relação a fatores demográficos. Resultados Das 36.713 mulheres incluídas, 35.444 (96,6%) foram submetidas a exames de HIV durante a admissão para o trabalho de parto. A prevalência global de HIV foi de 0,38% (intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: 0,31–0,48), e foi maior no grupo com a faixa etária entre 30 e 39 anos de idade (0,60% [0,40–0,88]), da região Sul (0,79% [0,59–1,04]), entre as mulheres com o ensino fundamental incompleto (0,63% [0,30–1,31]) ou ensino médio incompleto (0,67% [0,49–0,97]), e entre as mulheres que se identificam como asiáticas (0,94% [0,28–3,10]). A cobertura do exame de HIV durante os CPN foi de 86,6% para um exame e de 38,2% para dois exames. No geral, 98,5% das mulheres foram atendidas em pelo menos 1 consulta de CPN, 90,4% compareceram a pelo menos 4 consultas, 71% compareceram a pelo menos 6 visitas, e 51,7% receberam CPN durante o 1^o trimestre. A cobertura de exames de HIV e os indicadores de captação de CPN aumentaram de forma proporcional ao aumento da idade e do nível de educação, e foram maiores na região Sudeste. Conclusões O Brasil apresenta uma prevalência de menos de 1% e cobertura praticamente universal de CPN. No entanto, as lacunas nos exames de HIV e CPN durante o primeiro trimestre representam um desafio à prevenção contra a transmissão vertical do HIV. São necessários mais esforços a fim de reduzir as disparidades regionais e sociais.