São Paulo will offer rapid syphilis testing through the SUS (Brazilian public healthcare system).
39 municipalities were trained to offer testing with results delivered in up to 15 minutes.
The São Paulo State Health Department will offer free rapid tests for screening for syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, through the SUS (Unified Health System) starting in June.
Initially, the State STD/AIDS Program trained health professionals from Testing and Counseling Centers (CTA) and Specialized Assistance Services (SAE) in 39 municipalities in São Paulo. By the end of this year, another 50 cities will be trained. The idea is that by 2013, rapid syphilis screening tests will reach all testing services in the state, located in 145 municipalities and functioning as regional reference centers.
Performing the test is simple. Similar to the rapid HIV test, a blood sample is taken for analysis, collected via finger prick or venipuncture. The result is available in 10 to 15 minutes.
According to Maria Clara Gianna, coordinator of the State STD/AIDS Program, the implementation of rapid testing for syphilis screening will contribute to the effectiveness of the Plan for the Elimination of Vertical Transmission, which aims to eliminate congenital syphilis throughout the State by 2015.
“Congenital syphilis persists as a significant public health problem, despite the availability of supplies and technical information for its prevention,” says Maria Clara. “It is a condition that can be completely avoided if the pregnant woman and her sexual partner are properly diagnosed and treated during prenatal care.”
In the state of São Paulo, the prevalence rate of syphilis in pregnant women aged 15 to 49 is 1,6%. Furthermore, 40% of congenital syphilis cases result in fetal loss (abortions and stillbirths).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), eliminating the disease means having 0,5 cases per 1,000 live births. São Paulo maintains an incidence rate of 1,92 cases per 1,000 live births.
The Reference and Training Center for STDs/AIDS maintains a free telephone service to answer questions from the public about syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. The telephone number is 0800-16-25-50 and it operates from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 18 pm.