As part of the Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing Western Australian Department of Health Syphilis Point-of-Care (POC) Testing Program, 39 health professionals were trained as syphilis POC testing Operators at the WA Metropolitan Communicable Disease Control, who conducted a Pilot Outreach Program in May 2023.
The aim of the mass screening program was to increase syphilis testing within the homeless population, and as part of the secondary aims, HIV testing was offered, as well as COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Two outreach teams, each consisting of four health professionals, conducted a total of 22 visits at nine different locations across metro Perth for two weeks.
Of the 401 clients who engaged with the program, 276 syphilis POC tests were performed – signifying that approximately one-quarter of Perth’s homeless population was tested during this pilot outreach program. Screening results produced 272 non-reactive tests, 3 reactive and 1 invalid test. One reactive test identified a new syphilis case where treatment was subsequently administered on-site. One false reactive resulted, which was expected for the large sample size, and the remaining reactive test was identified as a previous case of syphilis.
Additionally, 18 clients who reported previous syphilis infection were encouraged to have serology testing, of which 11 had follow-up serology performed. Serology results identified three newly acquired cases of syphilis – one has received treatment and two cases are yet to be treated.
An ongoing evaluation of the program revealed that the major client demographic of those who engaged with the program were non-Aboriginal males within the age range of 35-54.
Overall, this pilot program highlighted the continuing syphilis outbreak in Perth and the important role that Syphilis POC testing has as a portable, rapid screening tool for early detection and treatment of syphilis infections, with further benefits of reducing onward transmission within a population that does not regularly engage with health services.