Rapid finger‑prick syphilis and HIV testing at a low‑barrier prenatal clinic

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project will introduce a Health Canada–approved rapid syphilis/HIV finger‑prick test at the Maternity Centre of Hamilton and measure how it is used in routine prenatal visits. The team will record how often eligible pregnant clients accept the test, how well clinic staff perform the test, and whether results lead to faster diagnosis and same-day treatment for clients and their partners. Participants will give feedback about their testing experience and share basic health and pregnancy information, while researchers will compare time-to-diagnosis and treatment against usual laboratory-based testing. The intervention focuses on people with barriers to care such as substance use, unstable housing, multiple partners, prior STBBIs, or late entry to prenatal care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

1. Pregnant people

   Inclusion Criteria:
   * Pregnant clients with at least one risk factor for syphilis infection:

     1. Substance use or accessed addiction services in the past 1 year
     2. Unstable housing in the past 1 year
     3. Multiple sexual partners in the past 1 year
     4. History of a sexually transmitted or blood-borne infection (STBBI)
     5. Late to prenatal care (initial prenatal visit \>20 weeks)
   * Eligible for syphilis screening at that clinic visit, as per Public Health guidelines

   Exclusion Criteria:
   * Previous syphilis diagnosis
   * Not competent to consent to study participation
2. Sexual partners

Inclusion Criteria:

* Sexual partners of pregnant clients who are newly diagnosed with syphilis
* Physically present in the clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous syphilis diagnosis
* Not competent to consent to study participation

Where it's running

• Maternity Centre of Hamilton
  Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Laura K Erdman, MD PhD FRCPC — McMaster University
• Study coordinator: Njideka Sanya
• Email: sanyan@mcmaster.ca
• Phone: +1-905-521-2100

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.