Gonorrhea Rates Research Articles

Increasing incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections from 2010 to 2019: an analysis of temporal trends by geographical regions and age groups from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study

BackgroundWorld Health Organization announced its goal of ending sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemics by 2030. To provide a reference for tailored prevention strategies, we analyzed trends and differences in STIs by geographical regions and age groups from 1990 to 2019.MethodsAnnual number of new infections and age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes were recorded from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. We quantified the temporal trends of STIs by calculating changes in new infections and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of ASR.ResultsThe ASRs of syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes increased by 1.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62–1.78%), 0.29% (95% CI 0.04–0.54%), 0.27% (95% CI 0.03–0.52%), and 0.40% (95% CI 0.36–0.44%) per year from 2010 to 2019 worldwide, respectively, while that of gonorrhea did not. The American regions had the greatest increase in ASR for syphilis (tropical Latin America: EAPC, 5.72; 95% CI 5.11–6.33), chlamydia (high-income North America: EAPC, 1.23; 95% CI 0.73–1.73), and gonorrhea (high-income North America: EAPC, 0.77; 95% CI 0.12–1.41). Additionally, southern sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia had the greatest increase in ASR for trichomoniasis (EAPC, 0.88; 95% CI 0.57–1.20) and genital herpes (EAPC, 1.44; 95% CI 0.83–2.06), respectively. In the most recent years, the population with the greatest incidence of syphilis tended to be younger globally (25–29 years in 2010 vs. 20–24 years in 2019) but older in North Africa and Middle East (20–24 year vs. 25–29 years); with chlamydia tended to be older in southern sub-Saharan Africa (25–29 years vs. 30–34 years) but younger in Australasia (40–44 years vs. 25–29 years); with genital herpes tended to be older in high-income North America (20–24 years vs. 25–29 years) and South Asia (25–29 years vs. 30–34 years).ConclusionsSyphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes showed a trend of increasing ASR from 2010 to 2019. The differences in trends by geographical regions and age groups point to the need for more targeted prevention strategies in key regions and populations.

Prevention of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with meningococcal B vaccine: a matched cohort study in Southern California.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is acquiring increasing resistance to available oral antibiotics, and current screening and treatment approaches have not decreased gonorrhea incidence. Although a gonorrhea-specific vaccine does not exist, N. gonorrhoeae shares much of its genome with Neisseria meningitidis, notably critical antigenic determinants including outer membrane vesicles (OMV). Prior observational studies have suggested that OMV-based meningococcal serogroup B vaccines confer protection against gonorrhea. We conducted a matched cohort study from 2016-2020 to examine the association of OMV-containing recombinant meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) with gonorrhea infection among teens and young adults at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Recipients of 4CMenB were matched in a ratio of 1:4 to recipients of non-OMV-containing polysaccharide-conjugate vaccine targeting serotypes A, C, W, Y ("MenACWY") who had not received 4CMenB and were followed for incident gonorrhea. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to compare gonorrhea rates among recipients of 4CMenB vs MenACWY, adjusting for potential confounders. We conducted the same analysis with chlamydia as a negative control outcome. The study included 6,641 recipients of 4CMenB matched to 26,471 recipients of MenACWY. During follow-up, gonorrhea incidence rates per 1000 person-years (95% CI) were 2.0 (1.3-2.8) for recipients of 4CMenB and 5.2 (4.6-5.8) for recipients of MenACWY. In adjusted analyses, gonorrhea rates were 46% lower among recipients of 4CMenB vs MenACWY (HR [95% CI] 0.54 [0.34-0.86]), but chlamydia rates were similar between vaccine groups (HR [95% CI] 0.98 [0.82-1.17]). These results suggest cross-protection of 4CMenB against gonorrhea, supporting the potential for vaccination strategies to prevent gonorrhea.

Epidemiological characteristics of socially significant infectious diseases as an indicator of the quality of life of the population

Background. Incidence and prevalence of socially significant infectious diseases are the most important indicators of the quality of life and sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population.The aim is to identify structural, quantitative and dynamic features of incidence and prevalence of socially significant infectious diseases among the population in the post-Soviet period (on the example of the Irkutsk region).Methods. The materials of the forms of federal statistical observation № 2, № 12, databases posted on the websites of the Federal State Statistics Service, the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System, the Center for Demographic Research of the Russian School of Economics were used in the study. An epidemiological analysis of morbidity indicators and a comparative assessment with the average Russian data have been carried out. Trend analysis was performed by linear regression analysis using the SPSS software (IBM Corp., USA).Results. The highest levels of tuberculosis prevalence in the Irkutsk region were noted in the period from 1999 to 2013 (352.1–436.9 0/0000). The incidence rate of syphilis increased by 1997 to the maximum value – 431.4 0/0000; in subsequent years, the incidence rate decreased, amounting to 28.8 0/0000 in 2019. Very high incidence rates of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia were noted in the region until the end of the 2000s. The dynamics of the prevalence of HIV infection since 1999 was characterized by a rapid increase in the indicator (in 2018 – 1995.0 0/0000), which made the region one of the most unfavorable in the country for this type of pathology. Thus, in the Irkutsk region since the second half of the 1990s until the late 2000s – early 2010s there was a pronounced increase in the incidence of socially significant infectious diseases to very high values, significantly exceeding the national average. In the subsequent period (2012–2019), there was a consistent decrease in the incidence rate.Conclusion. The quality of life of the population of Siberia in the post-Soviet period suffered to the greatest extent. This led to a rapid increase in the levels of morbidity with socially significant infectious diseases. A transition to the state model of the advanced development of human potential is required to reduce morbidity to an acceptable level.

Vaginal Swabs Are Non-inferior to Endocervical Swabs for Sexually Transmitted Infection testing in the Emergency Department.

Study ObjectiveEmergency department (ED) testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in women is typically performed with a pelvic examination and an endocervical swab. However, vaginal swabs are effective for STI testing and the preferred specimen type according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The utility of using vaginal swabs in the ED for STI screening has not been thoroughly investigated. Our objective was to assess detection rates for two bacterial STIs before and after implementing a screening protocol using vaginal swabs.MethodsWe conducted a quasi-experimental, pre-post study using standardized data from electronic health records across nine metropolitan Detroit hospital EDs. Patients included women who were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the ED between April 2018–December 2019. Pre-implementation tests from April 2018–February 2019 were done using endo-cervical swabs, and post-implementation tests from February 2019–December 2019 were done with vaginal swabs. We used non-inferiority testing for proportion with a non-inferiority margin of one percentage point absolute difference in detection rates of STI.ResultsThe study included 22,291 encounters with 11,732 in the pre-implementation and 10,559 in the post-implementation phases. The C. trachomatis detection rates were 7.5% pre-implementation and 7.6% post-implementation (between-group difference, 0.1 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.7, 0.4; p<.01 for non-inferiority). The N. gonorrhoeae detection rates were 3.1% pre-implementation and 3.6% post-implementation (between-group difference, 0.5 percentage points; 95% CI: −0.8, 0.04; p<.01 for non-inferiority).ConclusionUsing vaginal swabs for STI testing in the ED may be a non-inferior alternative to using endocervical swabs.

Incidence of anogenital warts after the introduction of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine program in Manitoba, Canada.

The incidence of anogenital warts (AGW) decreased after the introduction of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine in multiple jurisdictions. We studied how comparing AGW incidence rates with different outcomes affects the interpretation of the qHPV vaccination program. To do this, we replicated multiple study designs within a single jurisdiction (Manitoba). We measured the incidence rates of AGW, AGW-related prescriptions, chlamydia, and gonorrhea (the latter two as sham outcomes) between 2001 and 2017 using several clinical and administrative health databases from Manitoba. We then used incidence rate ratios (IRRs) to compare, for each outcome, the rate for the 1997-1998 birth cohort (the first cohorts eligible for the publicly funded qHPV vaccination program) and the older 1995-1996 birth cohort. AGW incidence in Manitoba dropped 72% (95% confidence interval 54-83%) among 16-18 year-old girls and 51% (14-72%) among boys after the introduction of the female-only qHPV vaccination program. Trends in AGW-related prescriptions were different from trends in AGW diagnoses as these prescriptions peaked shortly after the introduction of the publicly funded qHPV vaccine program. Chlamydia and gonorrhea incidence rates also decreased 12% (5-18%) and 16% (-1-30%), respectively, for 16-18 year-old girls. The publicly funded school-based qHPV vaccine program reduced AGW incidence in Manitoba by three-quarters in young females. AGW-related prescriptions are a poor proxy for medically attended AGW after the introduction of the publicly funded qHPV vaccination program. Different sexual habits in adolescents are, at most, responsible for a small portion of the reduction in AGW incidence.

Estimating the Association Between Public Health Spending and Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates in the United States: A Systematic Review.

Public health spending is important for managing increases in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. Although previous studies suggest that a beneficial link exists between public health spending and changes in STD rates, there have been no systematic reviews synthesizing existing evidence regarding the association for STDs at the population level. The objective of this study was to synthesize evidence from studies that assessed the associations between general and STD-specific public health spending and STD rates. We conducted a systematic review using Ovid-Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EconLit for relevant studies that examined the association between public health spending and gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and chancroid rates following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A total of 5 articles (2 regarding general public health spending and 3 regarding STD-specific public health spending) met our inclusion criteria. There was a significant decrease in gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and chancroid rates associated with increased public health spending. We also found that STD-specific public health spending has a greater effect on STD rates compared with general public health spending. Our review provides evidence that increases in general and STD-specific public health spending are associated with a reduction of STD rates. Such research regarding estimates of the impact of STD prevention spending can help policy makers identify priority funding areas and inform health resource allocation decisions.

895. Impact of Telemedicine on HIV Care and Prevention Services at an Academic Ryan White-Funded Clinic

BackgroundTelemedicine (TM) has been seldom used for the care of persons with HIV. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced HIV clinics to rapidly scale TM resources. With the increase of TM, the impact on HIV patient care remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of TM on HIV care and retention at a Ryan White-funded clinic.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients seen at an academic clinic in Pittsburgh, PA between 1/1/20 – 12/31/20. Encounter information was extracted from the clinic electronic health record. Primary outcomes were viral load (VL) suppression (< 200 copies/ml) and retention in care for persons seen via TM (phone, video +/- in person) vs those seen in-person. Secondary outcomes included flu vaccination and STI screening rates. ResultsAmongst 1414 patients, 608 patients had at least one scheduled TM visit, with 97 seen exclusively via TM, and 806 were scheduled for only in-person visits. In those with at least one TM visit, 92.72% had a suppressed VL. 89.69% of those with only TM visits were suppressed. 92.43% were suppressed in the in-person group. Average show rate amongst patients who had at least one TM visit was 60.39% (+0.96% from 2019, +1.71% from 2018), vs 64.38% amongst patients who only had in-person visits. Amongst patients who were only scheduled for TM visits, show rate was 83.97%. 40.18% of patients who had at least one TM visit received their flu vaccine in 2020 (-37.45% from 2019, -36.72% from 2018) vs 37.62% who were only seen in-person. Amongst patients who had at least one TM visit, syphilis screening rate was 43.09% (-7.64% from 2019, -8.55% from 2018) vs 43.51% for those seen only in-person. Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening rates were both 42.91% (+9.46% from 2019, +15.27% from 2018 for chlamydia screening; +8.36% from 2019, +14.73% from 2018 for gonorrhea screening). Amongst patients who were exclusively seen in-person gonorrhea screening rate was 48.24% and chlamydia screening rate was 47.57%. Table 1. Characteristics of Patients Seen in 2020 Table 2. Primary and Secondary Outcomes for Patients Seen in 2020 ConclusionVL suppression rates were similar across both groups, but retention in care was highest in the TM-only group. Flu vaccination rates and STI screening were lower in the groups that included TM. TM is an effective method for maintaining VL suppression and retention in care but has room for improvement with provision of preventative services. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Association between local public housing authority policies related to criminal justice system involvement and sexually transmitted infection rates

The policies of U.S. local public housing authorities influence which populations have access to stable housing, an important resource for health. We assessed whether the restrictiveness of local public housing authority policies related to people with criminal justice histories—a population at high risk for HIV/STIs—were associated with HIV/STI rates at the local-level. An ecological analysis was conducted using data from 107 local public housing authority jurisdictions. The independent variable was a score that quantified the presence/absence of eight policies related to the ability of people with criminal justice histories to obtain and retain public housing. The dependent variables were county-level rates of HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Ordinary least squares regression with state fixed effects was used. We find that the restrictiveness of housing authority policies towards people with criminal justice histories were significantly associated with higher HIV and gonorrhea rates, but not syphilis or chlamydia. For example, local housing authorities with a policy score more restrictive than the median score had an additional 6.05 cases of HIV per 100,000 population (32.9% increase relative to the mean rate) and 84.61 cases of newly diagnosed gonorrhea (41.3% increase). Local public housing authority policies related to people with criminal justice histories could affect HIV/STI risk at the population-level. These policies should be considered in studies and interventions at the intersection of housing, health, and justice involved populations.

An Intervention to Improve Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing Among Adolescents in Primary Care.

Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea among adolescents continue to rise. We aimed to evaluate if a universal testing program for chlamydia and gonorrhea improved testing rates in an urban general pediatric clinic and an urban family medicine clinic within a system of federally qualified health care centers and evaluated the feasibility, cost, and logistic challenges of expanding implementation across 28 primary care clinics within a federally qualified health care centers system. A universal testing quality improvement program for male and female patient 14 to 18 years old was implemented in a general pediatrics and family medicine clinic in Denver, Colorado. The intervention was evaluated by using a controlled pre-post quasi-experimental design. The difference in testing rates due to the intervention was assessed by using a difference-in-differences regression model weighted with the inverse probability of treatment. In total, 15 541 pediatric encounters and 5420 family medicine encounters were included in the analyses. In pediatrics, the unadjusted testing rates increased from 32.0% to 66.7% in the intervention group and from 20.9% to 28.9% in the comparison group. For family medicine, the rates increased from 38.5% to 49.9% in the intervention group and decreased from 26.3% to 24.8% in the comparison group. The intervention resulted in an adjusted increase in screening rates of 25.2% (P < .01) in pediatrics and 11.8% (P < .01) in family medicine. The intervention was well received and cost neutral to the clinic. Universal testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in primary care pediatrics and family medicine is a feasible approach to improving testing rates .

Value of Packaged Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections for Persons who Inject Drugs Hospitalized With Serious Injection-Related Infections.

BackgroundPersons who inject drugs (PWID) are frequently admitted for serious injection-related infections (SIRIs). PWID are also at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).MethodsWe conducted a multicenter quality improvement project at 3 hospitals in Missouri. PWID with SIRI who received an infectious diseases consultation were prospectively identified and placed into an electronic database as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–funded quality improvement project. Baseline data were collected from 8/1/2019 to 1/30/2020. During the intervention period (2/1/2020–2/28/2021), infectious diseases physicians caring for patients received 2 interventions: (1) email reminders of best practice screening for HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs; (2) access to a customized EPIC SmartPhrase that included checkboxes of orders to include in assessment and plan of consultation notes. STI screening rates were compared before and after the intervention. We then calculated odds ratios to evaluate for risk factors for STIs in the cohort.ResultsThree hundred ninety-four unique patients were included in the cohort. Initial screening rates were highest for hepatitis C (88%), followed by HIV (86%). The bundled intervention improved screening rates for all conditions and substantially improved screening rates for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis (30% vs 51%, 30% vs 51%, and 39 vs 60%, respectively; P < .001). Of patients who underwent screening, 16.9% were positive for at least 1 STI. In general, demographics were not strongly associated with STIs.ConclusionsPWID admitted for SIRI frequently have unrecognized STIs. Our bundled intervention improved STI screening rates, but additional interventions are needed to optimize screening.

STI/HIV Testing and Prevalence of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Among Persons with Their Specified-Type Sex Partner

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that sexually transmitted infections (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing has varied, but STI prevalence was not estimated among patients during their health care visits in which a high-risk sexual partnership was documented. This study estimated gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV testing rates and chlamydia and gonorrhea prevalence. MethodsFrom the de-identified commercial claims data of OptumLabs Data Warehouse, we identified men and women aged 15-60 years classified as having high-risk sexual relationships as diagnosis codes: Z72.51 for opposite-sex, Z72.52 for same-sex, and Z72.53 for same-and-opposite-sex relationships, stratified by gender, age group, region, type of health plan, and HIV status. We estimated STI testing rate and prevalence for chlamydia and gonorrhea among patients with high-risk sexual relationships. HIV testing was assessed only in high-risk sexual relationship patients without HIV. ResultsAmong 8.2 million females and 7.3 million males aged 15-60 years in the database from 2016 to 2019, 115,884 patients (0.7% of female, 0.8% of male) including 3,535 patients with HIV were diagnosed with high-risk sexual relationships. The testing rates for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV were 69.4% (confidence interval [CI]: 69.1-69.7), 68.9% (CI: 68.6-69.2), 43.4% (CI: 43.1-43.7), and 41.7% (CI: 41.4-42.0), respectively. Among patients with valid chlamydia and gonorrhea tests, 7.2% (CI: 7.0-7.5) and 2.6% (CI: 2.4-2.8) had positive chlamydia and gonorrhea test results, respectively, and varied by type of high-risk sexual relationship. ConclusionsOur study findings of suboptimal STI screening among patient in high-risk sexual relationships are consistent with previous studies. Administrative records confirmed by lab results indicate a need for STI counseling, testing, and treatment among patients who are diagnosed with high-risk sexual relationships with same-sex, opposite-sex, or same-and-opposite sex partners.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia rates have risen to record-high levels in the United States over the past decade. Because these infections are often asymptomatic, effective clinical management relies on screening of asymptomatic patients, particularly women younger than 25 years and men who have sex with men. If undetected and untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain and can facilitate HIV acquisition and transmission. Primary care providers need to be aware of recent changes in recommended treatments for both infections.

Large Increase in Azithromycin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Northern Spain

The aim of this study was to characterize the evolution of gonorrhea in the general population by correlating epidemiological, genotypic, and antimicrobial resistance data of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates collected in northern Spain from 2014 to 2018. One hundred ninety-four strains underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and were genetically analyzed by N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing. Increasing cases of gonococcal infections have been observed after 2015. Most occurred in male with urethritis. Sequence type (ST)-9972 and ST-1576, the predominant genotypes identified, have not been previously described as epidemic clones. Of great concern was the significant increase in azithromycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. More than 30% of these isolates were obtained from men who have sex with men (MSM). ST-12302 was the most prevalent clone among the azithromycin-resistant strains, and was also resistant to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. This multidrug-resistant clone was exclusively isolated from MSM during 2018. The incidence rates of gonorrhea and azithromycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae have significantly increased due to the emergence of new clones. ST-12302 has recently been recognized as an epidemic clone; therefore, its surveillance could be the key in controlling further dissemination of azithromycin resistance. These data highlight the need to perform local studies to update treatment guidelines and reinforce preventive measures against gonorrhea.

Uptake and correlates of chlamydia and gonorrhea testing among female sex workers in Southern China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFemale sex workers (FSW) are highly susceptible to chlamydia and gonorrhea infection. However, there is limited literature examining their testing uptake to date. This study aimed to assess the uptake and determinants of chlamydia and gonorrhea testing among FSW in Southern China.MethodsA cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was performed in five cities in Southern China. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, and the utilization of health care services from participants were collected through face-to-face interviews. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, respectively.ResultsOverall, 1207 FSWs were recruited, with the mean age of 30.7 ± 6.8 years and an average number of clients of 7.0 (4.0–10.0) per week. 65.4% participants constantly used condoms with clients during the past month. Only 7.5 and 10.4% had been tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the last year, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that FSW who worked at low tiers (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.36, 95%CI:1.23–10.14), had more clients in the last month (aOR = 1.03, 95%CI:1.01–1.05), used condoms consistently (aOR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.12–2.86), had STD symptoms (aOR = 4.09,95%CI:2.62–6.40), had been tested for HIV (aOR = 5.16, 95%CI:3.21–8.30) or syphilis (aOR = 6.90, 95%CI:4.21–11.22) in the last year were more likely to have chlamydia testing. In addition, FSW who had more clients in the past month (aOR = 1.02,95%CI:1.00–1.04), had STD symptoms (aOR = 3.33, 95%CI:2.03–5.46), had been tested for HIV (aOR = 3.94, 95%CI:2.34–6.65) and syphilis (aOR = 3.27, 95%CI:1.96–5.46) in the last year were more likely to have gonorrhea testing.ConclusionsThe testing rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are low among Chinese FSW. Integrating chlamydia and gonorrhea testing into HIV testing promotion programs may help bridge the gap among FSW.

Reported Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Are Decreasing Among Young Black Women: Good News or Bad News? A Narrative Review.

Since 2010, reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates decreased among Black women aged 15 to 19 years and were stable for Black women aged 20 to 24 years in the United States. Rates increased for older Black women aged 25 to 39 years and all White women. The Black/White rate ratio decreased across age groups. We examined whether trends in reported rates reflected changing prevalence or changing screening. We analyzed trends in reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates from 2010 to 2018 among women in the United States aged 15 to 39 years by age and race/ethnicity subgroup, state, and reporting source. Most jurisdictions reported decreased chlamydia and gonorrhea rates among Black teens and increased rates among White teens and older women. Between 2010 and 2018, public clinics reported fewer cases, especially among young Black women, that were not restored by increases elsewhere. We reviewed literature on trends in screening, prevalence, and sequelae. Family planning clinics annual reports showed chlamydia tests among women younger than 25 years decreased by 541,573 tests (-38%) in 2018 compared with 2010 and the number of women visiting sexually transmitted disease clinics had decreased 50% by 2016 compared with 2010. Prevalence of chlamydia in a sentinel population (Job Corps) was unchanged for Black women younger than 25 years and increased for Whites aged 20 to 24 years. Sequelae trends using data from a large all-payer emergency department database were mixed: pelvic inflammatory disease decreased, whereas ectopic pregnancy increased. Decreases in testing at public clinics likely missed diagnoses among young Black women, a group traditionally at highest risk and in need of more testing. Innovative approaches to screening are needed.

A Comparative Analysis of Reported Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Cases Among US Army Soldiers, 2015 to 2019.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea have increased nationally and in the US Army. Rates reported in the Army are elevated relative to the general population, partly because of differing population demographics. Age- and sex-specific chlamydia and gonorrhea case rates among Army active component soldiers and the wider 18- to 64-year-old US adult population were computed from reports submitted through national and military surveillance systems in 2015 to 2019. Rates were standardized using the 2015 Army age and sex population distribution. Multivariable generalized linear models were generated to evaluate associated risk factors. Army age- and sex-adjusted chlamydia rates (per 100,000 person-years) were nearly twice those of US adults (2019 rates, 2317 vs. 1241), whereas US age- and sex-adjusted gonorrhea rates surpassed Army rates (2019 rates, 536 vs. 396). Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates were significantly elevated in Army women younger than 25 years relative to US women aged 18 to 24 years (2015-2019 crude rates, 10,404 Army/4243 US for chlamydia and 1014 Army/694 US for gonorrhea). Gonorrhea rates were significantly elevated in US men aged 25 to 44 years (2015-2019 crude rates, 506 US/251 Army and 223 US/86 Army for men aged 25-34 and 35-44 years, respectively). Age, sex, and race-ethnicity were significantly associated with infection among soldiers. Observed increases in chlamydia and gonorrhea and identified risk factors are consistent with those reported nationally. Higher adjusted chlamydia rates among soldiers may reflect greater individual or sexual network risks, screening biases, or increased health care access. The Army's lower adjusted gonorrhea rates may reflect differences in high-risk subgroups (e.g., men who have sex with men), differing sexual networks, or other confounders.

Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Minnesota: A Mixed-Methods Review of Current Practices and Barriers to Implementation

Review of Current Practices and Barriers to Implementation We examined 1) current provision of expedited partner therapy (EPT) for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and 2) barriers and facilitators to EPT provision in Minnesota to address rising chlamydia and gonorrhea rates across the state. We conducted a statewide online survey on STI treatment and barriers to Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), or patient-delivered partner therapy for chlamydia or gonorrhea without medical evaluation of the partner. To develop survey questions and responses, we carried out 15 key informant interviews (KII) with health providers who submitted EPT protocols to the Minnesota Department of Health to understand current EPT implementation. KIIs were conducted among providers at outpatient specialty clinics (12), outpatient primary clinics (2), and a commercial pharmacy (1). EPT and direct provision of medication (8 for both) were mentioned as important for partner treatment. Almost all providers interviewed offer treatment directly (14), and insurance and prescriptions issues were most frequently cited administrative barriers (12). Online survey respondents (n=708) included 217 pharmacists, 230 nurse practitioners, 155 physicians, and 106 other health professionals from 63 of the 87 counties in Minnesota. While most providers had heard of EPT (72%), only 467 (66%) thought it was legal in Minnesota, and many were unsure if it was allowed in their clinical practice (34%). While only 175 providers currently offer EPT to patients, 329 providers indicated willingness to offer EPT under certain conditions. These conditions include legal protections for providers from liability (19%), changes to electronic health record (EHR) system alerts and EHR prescription options (18%), and pharmacy requirements to check for allergies (18%). Improving provider education about EPT legality may facilitate EPT provision in health systems to reduce the STI burden. Coordination between prescribing and dispensing providers is also important to overcome administrative barriers and to prevent adverse reactions among patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening in the U.S.

IntroductionThis study evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on testing for common sexually transmitted infections. Specifically, changes are measured in chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and case detection among patients aged 14–49 years during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsU.S. chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and positivity were analyzed on the basis of >18.6 million tests (13.6 million tests for female patients and 4.7 million tests for male patients) performed by a national reference clinical laboratory from January 2019 through June 2020.ResultsChlamydia and gonorrhea testing reached a nadir in early April 2020, with decreases (relative to the baseline level) of 59% for female patients and 63% for male patients. Declines in testing were strongly associated with increases in weekly positivity rates for chlamydia (R2=0.96) and gonorrhea (R2=0.85). From March 2020 through June 2020, an expected 27,659 (26.4%) chlamydia and 5,577 (16.5%) gonorrhea cases were potentially missed.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted routine sexually transmitted infection services, suggesting an increase in syndromic sexually transmitted infection testing and missed asymptomatic cases. Follow-up analyses will be needed to assess the long-term implications of missed screening opportunities. These findings should serve as a warning for the potential sexual and reproductive health implications that can be expected from the overall decline in testing and potential missed cases.

A Systematic Review of New Approaches to Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Framed in the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior Model of Implementation Science.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are 2 of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Rising chlamydia and gonorrhea rates along with increased closing of STI clinics has led many to seek STI testing in clinical settings such as urgent cares and walk-in clinics. However, with competing priorities, providing effective and efficient STI care can be difficult in these settings. This has left a growing need for the implementation of novel STI screening programs in other clinical settings. This review summarizes previous studies that have evaluated the clinical implementation of chlamydia and gonorrhea screening programs in these settings. Literature from January 2015 to February 2020 regarding the implementation or evaluation of STI screening programs in clinical settings was reviewed. Constructs from the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model were used to organize results, as this model can aid in identifying specific strategies for behavior/process change interventions. We found that multiple STI screening programs have been implemented and evaluated in 5 different countries and multiple health care facilities including sexual health clinics, urgent cares, walk-in clinics, and university health clinics. When implementing new STI screening programs, sample-first, test-and-go services and molecular point-of-care (POC) testing approaches were found to be effective in increasing screening and reducing costs and time to treatment. At the health care systems level, these programs can help reduce STI screening costs and generate additional revenue for clinics. At the provider level, clear communication and guidance can help clinical and administrative staff in adopting new screening programs. Finally, at the patient level, new programs can reduce time to treatment and travel costs in visiting clinics multiple times for testing and treatment services.

Comparing the Ecological Niches of Chlamydial and Gonococcal Infections in Winnipeg, Canada: 2007-2016.

Previous studies have shown substantial differences in geographic clustering of sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG), conditional on epidemic phase. Chlamydia and NG have recently shown resurgent epidemiology in the northern hemisphere. This study describes the recent epidemiology of CT and NG in Winnipeg, Canada, combining traditional surveillance tools with place-based analyses, and comparing the ecological niches of CT and NG, in the context of their evolving epidemiology. Data were collected as part of routine public health surveillance between 2007 and 2016. Secular trends for CT and NG, and CT/NG coinfection were examined. Gini coefficients and population attributable fractions explored the distribution, and concentration of infections over time and space. Rates of CT increased from 394.9/100,000 population to 476.2/100,000 population from 2007 to 2016. Gonorrhea rates increased from 78.0/100,000 population to 143.5/100,000 population during the same period. Each pathogen had its own ecological niche: CT was widespread geographically and socio-demographically, while NG was clustered in Winnipeg's inner-core. CT/NG co-infections had the narrowest space and age distribution. NG was shown to be undergoing a growth phase, with clear signs of geographic dispersion. The expansion of NG resembled the geographic distribution of CT. We demonstrated that NG was experiencing a growth phase, confirming theoretical predictions of geographic dispersion during a growth phase. During this phase, NG occupied similar geographic spaces as CT. Knowledge of different ecological niches could lead to better targeting of resources for subpopulations vulnerable to STIs.