Integration of a Package of Point-of-Care Tests into Rural Primary Care Facilities to Improve Access to Basic Antenatal Screening

Angela Koech Etyang of Aga Khan University in Kenya will make basic screening tests available to pregnant women at dispensaries and health centers that do not have laboratory facilities. These tests screen for conditions such as HIV, syphilis and anemia. They will employ simple existing technologies that enable these tests to be carried out during the clinic visit quickly, easily and by the nurse who is providing the care in pregnancy. They will evaluate whether introducing these tests as a package will integrate well with routine provision of care in these facilities and whether this will result in earlier screening and wider coverage of screening for pregnant women.