Evaluation of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme among Key and Priority Populations in Primary Healthcare Facilities to Inform a Targeted Response: A Protocol Paper.

ABSTRACT

Primary healthcare facilities lack routine diagnostic screening due to resource limitations and dependence on syndromic management, resulting in an unprecedented prevalence and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly among key and priority populations. Specific focuses are essential to strengthen current STI control measures. Therefore, this article describes the protocol for evaluating STI programme among key and priority populations in selected primary healthcare facilities in South Africa. We will employ an exploratory, descriptive research design to assess the STI programme in terms of its facility operations, functions, scope, gaps, delivery services, STI surveillance methods, and indicators in the selected primary healthcare facilities. A purposive sample of 15-20 STI programme stakeholders will be selected from five primary healthcare facilities in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The programme evaluation will use the World Health Organization assessment checklist tool, a globally recognised and validated instrument comprising open- and closed-ended questions to assess the STI programme. This tool, known for its credibility and reliability, ensures the study's validity. Quantitative data will be captured on STATA software (College Station, TX, USA) version 18 for descriptive analysis and presented as the mean and standard deviation for continuous variables, proportions and percentages for categorical variables. A p ≤ 0.05 will demonstrate a statistically significant level. Thematic content analysis will be conducted for the qualitative data using Atlas. ti software (Technical University, Berlin, Germany) version 23.1. The study's results will inform new approaches to strengthen STI coverage, service delivery, and linkage to care.