Abstract
BackgroundSexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States, with approximately half of new infections occurring among adolescents aged 15-24 years. Gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (GBTY), homeless youth, and youth with histories of drug use, mental health disorders, and incarceration are all at uniquely high risk for STIs. However, these adolescents often lack access to sexual health services.ObjectiveThis study aims to use point-of-care STI tests in community-based settings to screen for and treat STIs in adolescents.MethodsWe are recruiting 1500 HIV-uninfected youth and 220 HIV-infected youth from homeless shelters, GBTY organizations, and community health centers in Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana. Study participants will receive STI screening every 4 months for 24 months. STI screening includes rapid HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Hepatitis C virus testing. Trained paraprofessionals will conduct all STI testing. When a participant screens positive for an STI, they are either linked to a partner medical clinic or provided with same-day antibiotic therapy and expedited partner therapy. We will monitor STI prevalence among study participants as well as point-of-care test performance, linkage to care, and treatment outcomes.ResultsThe project was funded in 2016, and enrollment will be completed in 2019. Preliminary data analysis is currently underway.ConclusionsAs STI rates continue to rise, it is important to improve access to screening and treatment services, particularly for high-risk adolescents. In this study, we aim to evaluate the use of point-of-care STI diagnostic tests in community-based organizations. We hope to determine the prevalence of STIs among these adolescents and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of community-based STI screening and treatment.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03134833; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03134833International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/10795
Highlights
There are approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) every year in the United States
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States, with approximately half of new infections occurring among adolescents aged 15-24 years
JMIR Res Protoc 2019 | vol 8 | iss. 3 | e10795 | p. 2. In this component of the Comprehensive Adolescent Research and Engagement Studies (CARES), part of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN) for the HIV/AIDS Interventions Research Program Grant (National Institutes of Health grant U19HD089886), we aim to evaluate the use of rapid STI testing among adolescents at community-based organizations in Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana
Summary
There are approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) every year in the United States. Half of these infections occur among adolescents aged 15-24 years [1]. Transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States, with approximately half of new infections occurring among adolescents aged 15-24 years. Objective: This study aims to use point-of-care STI tests in community-based settings to screen for and treat STIs in adolescents. Conclusions: As STI rates continue to rise, it is important to improve access to screening and treatment services, for high-risk adolescents. We aim to evaluate the use of point-of-care STI diagnostic tests in community-based organizations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03134833; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03134833 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/10795
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