Please provide a brief description of the intervention (with name, if possible).
The Catalyzing Congenital Syphilis Prevention Project is a partnership between Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and local health care community organizations designed to deliver syphilis and HIV screening and treatment services to pregnant females and females of reproductive age in an effort to promote STI awareness, increase syphilis testing, and prevent congenital syphilis. Through a referral-based process, MCDPH provides at-home comprehensive STI testing services via home visitation activities by MCDPH staff, free of charge to clients and their sexual partners, including Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV testing. Moreover, the project links clients to the MCDPH STD Clinic if treatment is required. To enhance knowledge and awareness surrounding STIs, safe pregnancies, and sex education, the project also delivers educational training to participating sites and their clients. In response to partner needs and with the aim of boosting STI testing rates among participating sites, the project has further expanded its scope to include STI outreach events.
Who was/is involved in implementing the intervention (e.g., staff titles, partner organizations, etc.)?
Partnering organizations include the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Division of STD Prevention, Arizona Department of Public Health Services (ADHS) Office of STI Control, Maricopa County Department of Public Health STD Program, government and non-government community health programs such as Nurse Family Partnership Program, Health Windows Program in Phoenix through the Mexican consular, Hushabye Nursery Program, Maggies’ Place, and Unlimited Potential Health Start Program *. Staff involved includes CDC and ADHS team leads, MCDPH Medical Director, STD Program Supervisor, Epidemiology Supervisor, Epidemiologist project coordinator, Communicable Disease Investigator supervisors and staff, and STD Outreach coordinator; stakeholder leadership from community health organizations, home visiting staff, health educators and community health workers. *Consent from partnering community-based health programs and organizations was granted to be named in the compendium.
What were/are the primary objectives/goals of this intervention?
To implement novel interventions for preventing congenital syphilis by expanding access to syphilis screening in Maricopa County, increase identification of syphilis in pregnant persons, decrease the rate of congenital syphilis in Maricopa County, and to promote healthy pregnancies.
What were the outcomes of the intervention?
Please provide specific outcomes if possible, such as # or people served, # or % of reaching XYZ outcome, etc.
Participating sites have referred 610 clients for STI testing through the project with 40 clients receiving testing as a result of referrals and outreach events. To date, we have completed 15 presentations and trainings focused on STI awareness and project objectives to participating sites within the community. Additionally, we have held 8 outreach events offering free on-site STI testing. Through these strategic partnerships and a multifaceted approach including education, outreach, and accessible testing services, the project continues to address the rising rates of congenital syphilis in Maricopa County, Arizona.
If other, please describe.
Referral acceptance and response rates, outreach logistics and cultural considerations.
What else would you recommend or advise to other counties considering this intervention/activity?
It is important to note that despite a high number of referrals, the response rate for STI screening services has been relatively low. Currently, we have observed that outreach events and proactive appointment scheduling have yielded a higher response rate for STI testing when compared to passive referrals made directly by participating sites. To improve these rates, we are exploring additional strategies, including organizing more outreach events and implementing a referral opt-out approach for participating sites to encourage increased syphilis screenings.