Feasibility of Introducing an Onsite Test for Syphilis in the Package of Antenatal Care in Burkina Faso

This study used a pre post intervention mixed methods quasi-experimental design with a group of health facilities offering ANC services. It was conducted in three phases, which consisted of a situational analysis using qualitative methods (Phase 1), selecting an appropriate test through evaluating 4 candidate tests and the participatory design and implementation of an intervention(Phase 2), and an evaluation combining review of record tools, interviews, time motion study and estimating incremental costs (Phase 3). The conceptual framework draws on multilevel assessment (MLA), policy triangle framework, MRC framework for designing complex interventions and the Normalization Process Model (NPM). The findings suggested that an intervention that introduces point of care test for syphilis at antenatal care services is feasible, acceptable, and of comparable costs to HIV screening in pregnancy. Nonetheless, barriers identified by health workers need to be overcome.