Interventions for Enhancing Adherence to Syphilis Treatment and Follow-up: Study Protocol for the Health Information and Monitoring of Sexually Transmitted Infections (SIM) Randomized Controlled Trial

Interventions for Enhancing Adherence to Syphilis Treatment and Follow-up: Study Protocol for the Health Information and Monitoring of Sexually Transmitted Infections (SIM) Randomized Controlled Trial

The SIM study is a single-centre, randomized, controlled trial with a 12-month follow-up period. The aim is to determine which of the 3 methods of follow-up is the most effective in promoting patient treatment compliance. The recruitment of participants will be done by invitation, and tests will be performed in a mobile unit in locations accessible to large populations. The goal is to perform 10,000 quick tests, with results confirmed by venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) tests. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis according to VDRL test results will be randomized in one of three monitoring arms: follow-up by telephone, follow-up via a game in a smartphone app, or conventional follow-up by a health professional. All analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adults aged 18 years and older with sorologic test positive for syphilis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who did not return after three contact attempts will be excluded from the study,
• pregnant women
• participants who are not able to provide contact information
• participants who are illiterate
• participants those who underwent syphilis treatment within the previous three months.