The transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B from mother to child can be prevented through the use of affordable rapid tests to support early diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy.
This finding emerged from research conducted by the UGM Center for Tropical Medicine (PKT UGM) across 22 community health centers (puskesmas) in Bandung and Bogor between March and September 2024.
“Interventions in both areas significantly improved the coverage of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B testing for pregnant women through puskesmas-based service innovations and cross-sector collaboration,” said PKT UGM researcher Professor Ari Probandari in a statement sent to reporters on Thursday (May 15).
Over the eight-month implementation of the MENJAGA study from March to September 2024, 22 intervention puskesmas in the two regions adopted a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach to enhance the coverage of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B testing (triple elimination) for pregnant women.
According to Professor Probandari, the study is expected to improve maternal and child health services in Indonesia and strengthen the underlying health systems.
Although the initial study was conducted in Bandung City and Bogor Regency, it is hoped that every puskesmas manager will be able to analyze the root causes of gaps in antenatal testing services, design context-based solutions, and monitor their impact.
In Rumpin Community Health Center, Bogor Regency, for example, only 50% of pregnant women underwent triple elimination testing during the first trimester in early 2023.
Through two cycles of change and village-based innovations, the coverage rose dramatically to 126.8% by December 2024.
“This increase at Rumpin was the highest among all the participating health centers after the intervention,” said Professor Probandari.
Kuncahyo Sri Harri Murthi, MD, Head of Rumpin Community Health Center, expressed his gratitude that his facility was chosen for the intervention.
“Thanks to this study, our innovation won first place in the district-level innovation competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Bandung City, similar efforts were made through strengthened networks with private midwives, the formation of cross-program CQI teams at puskesmas, and the development of an integrated reporting format.
As a result, most intervention puskesmas saw an increase in testing coverage.
“This study encouraged us to analyze problems using a more structured and systematic approach,” said Ira Jani Dewi, MD, Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the Bandung City Health Office.
As the principal investigator of the MENJAGA study, Professor Probandari hopes the findings will lead to impactful follow-up efforts to improve testing and treatment services.
The MENJAGA study, an acronym inspired by the word “care” from antenatal care (ANC), is a collaboration between PKT UGM, Universitas Sebelas Maret, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), with support from the UK Medical Research Council.
The study aims to contribute to Indonesia’s efforts to achieve triple elimination.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographs: PKT UGM