SMATCH-Soroti: Strengthening Maternal Antenatal Testing and Community Health for Hepatitis B in Soroti

Duration

2 years

Lead institutions

Universiteit Antwerpen

Soroti University

Academic partners

Simon Eleku

Project status

Ongoing

Programme

Total budget

69,999.67

Summary

Hepatitis B (HBV) remains a major health concern in Uganda, with mother-to-child transmission contributing to chronic infections. Preventing early transmission is critical to break the cycle of HBV infection. This project will strengthen HBV screening and treatment for pregnant women through centralized (hospital-based) and decentralized (community-based) care models in Soroti. Screening will be conducted at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and in rural areas using rapid diagnostic tests, with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment initiated based on HBsAg positivity (decentralized) or a viral load ≥10,000 IU/mL (centralized). Establishing a q-PCR lab at Soroti University will enhance diagnostic capacity, while village health teams will extend screening and treatment to rural communities. The project will assess the cost-effectiveness of both care models to guide future implementation and prioritize community education to combat stigma and encourage early testing and treatment.