Syphilis in pregnancy: a qualitative investigation of healthcare provider perspectives on barriers to syphilis screening during pregnancy in south-east Queensland

Abstract

Background: Increasing rates of syphilis in pregnancy (SiP) in Australia and other high-income countries, has led to the resurgence of congenital syphilis. Suboptimal syphilis screening during pregnancy has been identified as a key contributing factor.

Methods: This study aimed to explore, from the perspective of multidisciplinary healthcare providers (HCPs), the barriers to optimal screening during the antenatal care (ANC) pathway. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 34 HCPs across multiple disciplines practising in south-east Queensland (SEQ) were analysed through a process of reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Barriers were found to occur at the system level of ANC, through difficulties in patient engagement in care, limitations in the current model of health care delivery and limitations in the communication pathways across health care disciplines; and at the individual HCP level, through HCP knowledge and awareness of epidemiological changes in syphilis in SEQ, and adequately assessing patient risk.

Conclusion: It is imperative that the healthcare systems and HCPs involved in ANC address these barriers to improve screening in order to optimise management of women and prevent congenital syphilis cases in SEQ.