Syphilis screening among female sex workers in Bangalore, India: comparison of point-of-care testing and traditional serological approaches.

OBJECTIVES: We undertook a prospective evaluation of the Qualpro Syphicheck-WB rapid syphilis test to measure its diagnostic performance and utility as a point-of-care (POC) screening test among female sex workers (FSWs) in Bangalore, India. METHODS: From August 2008 to May 2009, FSWs without a laboratory-confirmed history of syphilis attending STI clinics in Bangalore underwent POC syphilis screening using finger-prick whole blood, with onsite treatment if indicated. Serum samples were collected for local laboratory offsite rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing and reference laboratory RPR, Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA), and rapid syphilis testing. FSWs who participated in standard offsite RPR screening from August 2007 to May 2008 in the same clinics formed the comparison group for treatment coverage. RESULTS: Of the 1617 women who underwent POC syphilis testing, 7.4% had laboratory evidence of active syphilis with reactive RPR and TPHA, and 3.7% had an RPR titre > or = 1:8. Compared with the reference RPR and TPHA, the sensitivity and specificity of the POC syphilis test were 70.8% (95% CI 62.7 to 79.0) and 97.8% (95% CI 97.1 to 98.5). Because of the low rate of women returning for their test results after offsite RPR screening, the proportion of women with active syphilis who were appropriately treated rose from 44.8% to 68.3% with the use of POC syphilis screening (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The Syphicheck-WB test utilising finger-prick whole blood has a relatively low sensitivity in detecting active syphilis. However, among hard-to-reach populations who may not return for follow-up treatment, POC screening with this assay could still confer an advantage over offsite RPR testing with respect to treatment coverage.

Assessment of attitudes and practices of providers of services for individuals at high risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Karnataka, south India.

BACKGROUND: A key component of prevention programmes aimed at reducing the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among high-risk groups such as female sex workers (FSW) is the provision of quality STI services. The attitudes and practices of care providers are critical factors in the provision of services and in achieving better participation of high-risk individuals in accessing services. OBJECTIVES: To assess the attitudes and practices of STI care providers towards FSW, and the perceptions of FSW towards STI services, following training. METHODOLOGY: After an intensive physician capacity building programme, 393 exit interviews of FSW were conducted following clinical encounters, and discussions were held with 131 STI care providers (physicians) across several districts in Karnataka. Focus group discussions were held among FSW to understand the perceptions of non-users of services. RESULTS: 60% of women reported that the clinics were accessible. 76% of the women who visited clinics for STI consultations were offered a speculum examination. 85% received a condom demonstration, but only 52% were advised for partner treatment. 69% of women were referred for HIV testing. 79% of physicians felt that sex workers were responsible for spreading HIV in the community, and 47% believed that sex work should be banned to control HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Following physician training, quality of care appears to be generally acceptable, but it is important to improve further the attitudes of providers towards sex work, and improve practices such as speculum examination and partner referral that can enhance quality of care.