Optimising the Use of the Syndromic Approach for STI Management and Prevention in Resource Poor Settings
Summary:
More efficient and effective healthcare systems in reproductive healthcare will
be promoted through improvements of the use of the syndromic approach for STI
management and prevention in resource poor settings with high STI and HIV
incidence. Locally relevant systems that will optimise field performance of the
syndromic approach for STI management, in particular for STI in women, will be
obtained through reconsidering existing tools and systems and at different
levels of the health delivery system. The acceptability of the syndromic
approach for STI management for health providers and users will be improved
through a concerted action in four sub-Saharan countries. Co-operation with
scientists and policy-makers from four European institutions involved in health
system development and the development of diagnostic tools will continue to
enhance effectiveness, coverage and quality of existing primary healthcare
services.
Objectives:
The objective is to promote more efficient and effective healthcare systems
in reproductive healthcare through improvements in the use of the syndromic
approach for STI management, and prevention in resource poor settings with high
STD and HIV incidence. Locally relevant systems that will optimise field
performance of the syndromic approach for STI management, in particular for STI
in women, will be obtained through reconsidering existing tools and systems and
at different levels of the health delivery system. The acceptability of the
syndromic approach for STI management for health providers and users will be
improved in four sub-Saharan countries. Cooperation between scientists and
policy-makers involved in health system development and the development of
diagnostic tools will continue to enhance effectiveness, coverage and quality of
existing primary healthcare services.
Description:
An international and national review of literature on the introduction of the
syndromic approach for STI management in resource poor settings will lead to the
first international expert meeting. During this meeting, the literature reviews
will be analysed and discussed. They will create the basis for defining the
standardised tools for researching the factors favouring and constraining the
syndromic approach adoption by healthcare providers in the four sub-Saharan
countries participating in this concerted action. The level of acceptability for
healthcare providers of public and private services, as well as the clinical
practices of these providers, and their associated reasons will be researched.
The level of acceptability for health service users will also be assessed.
Special attention will be given to the management of STI in women. Tools and
strategies for potential improvement of acceptability and field performance will
be formulated in each of the four countries during a national workshop where the
study results will be summarised. During the final international conference, the
Delphi method will be used to create a framework for the identification of
factors related to the success or defeat of the syndromic approach for STI
management in resource poor settings. Areas and means for potential improvement
of acceptability and field performance of syndromic STI management will be
found, leading to country specific recommendations. From the framework, further
strategies for improving policy and service development will be recommended,
leading to more efficient, rational and sustainable syndromic management of STI
in resource poor settings with high STD and HIV incidence.
Milestones:
International literature review of factors favouring and constraining the
introduction and use of the syndromic approach for STI management in resource
poor settings, including country-specific data on four countries with high STD
and HIV incidence.
Publications on acceptability and associated factors for users, and public
and private healthcare providers of the syndromic approach.
Relevant recommendations for tools and strategies to improve the policy and
service development.
Coordinator:
Marleen Temmerman
International Centre for Reproductive Health
Ghent University
De Pintelaan 185, 2P3
BE-9000 Ghent
Tel: +32 9 240 3564
Fax: +32 9 240 3867
E-mail: marleen.temmerman@ugent.be
Website: http://www.icrh.org
Partners:
- Anita Hardon
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Political and Socio-Cultural Sciences
Anthropological Sociological Centre
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 185
NL-1012 DK Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 525 26 70
Fax: +31 20 525 30 10
E-mail: hardon@pscw.uva.nl
- Loretta Brabin
Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
University of Manchester
St Mary’s Hospital (1st floor)
Whitworth Park
UK – M13 9PL Manchester
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 161 276 6388
Fax: +44 161 276 6134
E-mail: Loretta.brabin@man.ac.uk
- Paulo Ferrinho
Association for Development Co-operation Garcia de Orta
Rua Frederico Perry Vidal, Bloco 9 – Piso 1
PT-1900-240 Lisbon
Portugal
Tel: +35 1 21 845 2912
Fax: +35 1 21 843 06 87
E-mail: nop05938@mail.telepac.pt
- Bwayo
Department of Medical Microbiology
University of Nairobi
PO Box 196 76
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: +254 2 719 628
Fax: +254 2 714 613
E-mail: bwayo@kavi.uon.org
- Edward Kirumira
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Social Sciences
Makerere University
Box 7062
Kampala
Uganda
Tel: +256 41 540 650
Fax: +256 41 533 665
E-mail: kirumira@starcom.co.ug
- Joyce Munthali
College of Medicine, University of Malawi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Private Bag 360
Chichiri
Blantyre 3
Malawi
Tel: +265 1 692683
Fax: +265 1 674 700
E-mail: joycewangui@yahoo.com
- Rui Bastos
Department of Dermatology
University of Eduardo Mondlane
Hospital Central Maputo
Ave Agustinho Neto
Maputo
Mozambique
Tel: +258 1 428 319
Fax: +258 1 428 319
E-mail: rbdermat@tropical.co.mz
