A taxonomy of the scope and organization of local sexually transmitted disease services for policy and practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 1375-1383
Author(s):  
Hector P Rodriguez ◽  
Summer Starling ◽  
Zosha Kandel ◽  
Robert Weech-Maldonado ◽  
Nicholas J Moss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Cluster Solution ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Local health departments (LHDs) and their organizational partners play a critical role in controlling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. We examine variation in the differentiation, integration, and concentration (DIC) of STD services and develop a taxonomy describing the scope and organization of local STD services. LHD STD programs (n = 115) in Alabama (AL) and California (CA) responded to surveys assessing STD services available in 2014. K-means cluster analysis identified LHD groupings based on DIC variation. Discriminant analysis validated cluster solutions. Differences in organizational partnerships and scope of STD services were compared by taxonomy category. Multivariable regression models estimated the association of the STD services organization taxonomy and five-year (2010–2014) gonorrhea incidence rates, controlling for county-level sociodemographics and resources. A three-cluster solution was identified: (1) low DIC (n = 74), (2) moderate DIC (n = 31), and (3) high DIC (n = 10). In discriminant analysis, 95% of jurisdictions were classified into the same types as originally assigned through K-means cluster analysis. High DIC jurisdictions were more likely (p < 0.001) to partner with most organizations than moderate and low DIC jurisdictions, and more likely (p < 0.001) to conduct STD needs assessment, comprehensive sex education, and targeted screening. In contrast, contact tracing, case management, and investigations were conducted similarly across jurisdictions. In adjusted analyses, there were no differences in gonorrhea incidence rates by category. Jurisdictions in CA and AL can be characterized into three distinct clusters based on the DIC of STD services. Taxonomic analyses may aid in improving the reach and effectiveness of STD services.

scholarly journals Existence, Distribution, and Characteristics of STD Clinics in the United States, 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth E. Meyerson ◽  
Alissa Davis ◽  
Hilary Reno ◽  
Laura T. Haderxhanaj ◽  
M. Aaron Sayegh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Health Department ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Teen Births ◽  
Mean Differences

Objectives: Studies of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics have been limited by the lack of a national list for representative sampling. We sought to establish the number, type, and distribution of STD clinics and describe selected community characteristics associated with them. Methods: We conducted a 2-phased, multilevel, online search from September 2014 through March 2015 and from May through October 2017 to identify STD clinics in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. We obtained data on clinic name, address, contact information, and 340B funding status (which requires manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs at reduced prices). We classified clinics by type. We also obtained secondary county-level data to compare rates of chlamydia and HIV, teen births, uninsurance and unemployment, and high school graduation; ratios of primary care physician to population; health care costs; median household income; and percentage of population living in rural areas vs nonrural areas. We used t tests to examine mean differences in characteristics between counties with and without STD clinics. Results: We found 4079 STD clinics and classified them into 10 types; 2530 (62.0%) clinics were affiliated with a local health department. Of 3129 counties, 1098 (35.1%) did not have an STD clinic. Twelve states had an STD clinic in every county, and 34 states had ≥1 clinic per 100 000 population. Most STD clinics were located in areas of high chlamydia morbidity and where other surrogate needs were greatest; rural areas were underserved by STD clinics. Conclusions: This list may aid in more comprehensive national studies of clinic services, STD clinic adaptation to external policy changes (eg, in public financing or patient access policy), and long-term clinic survival, with special attention to clinic coverage in rural areas.

scholarly journals Neurosyphilis Presenting as Asymptomatic Optic Perineuritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Parker ◽  
John H. Pula
Keyword(s):  
White Cell Count ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opening Pressure ◽  
Disc Edema ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Ocular Disorders

Introduction. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is known as “the great imitator” due to its wide variety of clinical presentations, including ocular disorders. There has been an increase in the rate of syphilis in the United States, especially in persons with HIV. We report a case of optic perineuritis in an asymptomatic male secondary to central nervous system (CNS) syphilis.Case Report. A 41-year-old man was found to have bilateral disc edema on a routine exam. Brain MRI was unremarkable, and lumbar puncture revealed a normal opening pressure, with an elevated cerebrospinal fluid white cell count. Orbit MRI showed optic nerve sheath expansion and enhancement, consistent with optic perineuritis. He tested positive for syphilis based on serum RPR and FTA-ABS.Conclusion. Ophthalmologic findings, including disc edema, may be the presenting features of CNS syphilis. Even in asymptomatic persons, perineuritis should be considered early, as diagnosis and treatment are imperative given the progressive nature of the disease.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1884-1890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A Serpa ◽  
Gabriel N Huynh ◽  
Julie B Nickell ◽  
Hongyu Miao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Interrupted Time Series Analysis ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) decreases HIV transmission. Some studies have raised concerns about a potential association between the implementation of HIV PrEP and the growing incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental (interrupted time series) analysis of STI (syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia) rates before (2000–2012) and after (2013–2017) the implementation of HIV PrEP. We also performed correlations between HIV PrEP utilization and STI cases at the national (2012–2017) and state (2017) levels. We defined HIV PrEP utilization as the number of people taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine for HIV prevention. Results HIV PrEP implementation was associated with 25% (relative risk [RR] 1.254, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.245–1.263; P &lt; .001) and 26% (RR 1.260, 95% CI 1.257–1.264; P &lt; .001) increases in syphilis and gonorrhea rates, respectively, and a 12% reduction in chlamydia rates (RR: 0.884, 95% CI 0.883–0.885; P &lt; .001). HIV PrEP utilization was correlated with the numbers of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia cases (spearman coefficients 1.00, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively; P &lt; .001, P &lt; .01, and P &lt; .01, respectively). At the state level, HIV PrEP was also correlated with the number of cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia (spearman coefficients 0.85, 0.81, and 0.85, respectively; Ps &lt; .001 for all correlations). Conclusions The implementation and utilization of HIV PrEP in the United States were associated with increased rates of STIs. Further studies to confirm these associations and to elucidate potential causes are needed.

scholarly journals Too Little, Too Late?

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Lilian Milanés ◽  
Joanna Mishtal
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Low Expectations ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Reproductive Healthcare

AbstractScholarship and advocacy work regarding reproductive health have often focused on women’s experiences. Concerns about men’s sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) have historically been on the margins in this context. In the United States, young men are at the greatest risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet are the least likely to seek SRH. Based on research with 18 healthcare providers in a large public Florida university clinic, we examined providers’ perspectives about expanding men’s SRH provision and utilisation. Research findings demonstrate inconsistent provider strategies in treating men’s SRH needs and a clinical environment that has low expectations of men receiving preventive care, further perpetuating the placement of SRH responsibility upon women. This article contributes to applied and medical anthropology scholarship on health inequalities through its discussion of the challenges and barriers that contribute to poor SRH for young men and the critical role of providers in this context.

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