scholarly journals Utilizing a Community Dance to Hold STD Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in High-Risk Adolescents

PRiMER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Jones ◽  
Sara Marlatt ◽  
Jenenne Geske ◽  
Birgit Khandalavala

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescents are a major public health concern, particularly in underserved communities. While STD screening is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, limited access remains one of a number of barriers. Community-based approaches may provide greater access and enhance screening rates. This study occured in a nationally recognized hot spot for STDs. We used a unique approach of hosting supervised dances at a community venue, during which free STD screening was offered at an attached health care clinic. Methods: A series of six Friday night dances was held at one community center sponsored by a nonprofit, girl-focused organization from 2018 to 2019. Dance participants could access an on-site health clinic for self-collected screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Treatment was provided for detected STDs. STD screening was also available to area youth at the on-site clinic during regular daytime clinic hours. Results: A total of 118 adolescents were screened during the school year, and were predominantly female (88.13%) and African American (85.6%). More than half of the total STD screenings (51.7%) were administered during the dances, doubling the total number of STD screenings when compared to those administered during regular clinic hours. A significantly younger cohort were screened at the dances (mean age 14.8 years) compared to those screened at the regular clinic (mean age of 18.9 years).Conclusion: A youth-centric event utilizing community resources can be used to facilitate and enhance screening rates for STDs in youth in an underserved, high-risk community.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Lobo ◽  
Yan Gao ◽  
Laura Rusie ◽  
Magda Houlberg ◽  
Supriya D Mehta

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) released clinical advisories on rising cases of ocular syphilis. We examined the association between eye disease and syphilis infection among primary care and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic patients attending an urban lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) health center. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients who underwent syphilis testing at Howard Brown Health between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. Confirmed eye diagnosis was based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes for conjunctivitis, uveitis, keratitis, retinitis, and red eye. Demographic information, syphilis treatment, HIV status, and high-risk behaviors were abstracted. Syphilis diagnosis was defined by available laboratory data (enzyme immunoassay [EIA], rapid plasma reagin [RPR] titer, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption [FTA-Abs], Treponema pallidum Ab). Multivariable logistic regression with robust variance was used to identify independent associations. During the study period, 71,299 syphilis tests were performed on 30,422 patients. There were 2288 (3.2%) positive syphilis tests. Seventy-seven patients had a confirmed eye diagnosis (0.25%). Patients with eye disease had higher probability of at least one positive syphilis test (33%) compared to those without eye disease (8%) ( p < 0.01). Of patients with eye disease, 77% were men who had sex with men (MSM) and 65% were HIV-positive. Patients with eye disease had 5.97 (95% CI: 3.70, 9.63) higher odds of having syphilis compared to patients without eye disease. When adjusted for age, race, gender/sexual orientation, insurance status, and HIV status, this association between positive syphilis test and eye disease decreased but was still significant (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.17, 3.41). Patients who present with an eye diagnosis to STI/primary care clinic have a higher probability of positive syphilis tests even after adjusting for other risk factors for syphilis. High-risk patients with eye symptoms should have routine STI testing and in keeping with CDC and AAO recommendations, full ophthalmologic examination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronnie M Gravett ◽  
Andrew O Westfall ◽  
Edgar T Overton ◽  
Kachina Kudroff ◽  
Christina A Muzny ◽  
...  

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively prevents HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM), but PrEP uptake has been associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The effect of PrEP on STIs in MSM in the Deep South of the United States is unknown. We performed a retrospective analysis of adult MSM at an American Deep South PrEP clinic to calculate the prevalence and incidence rate of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and identify associated risk factors by linking incident STI to patient-reported outcomes; 139 MSM accessed the clinic between 2014 and 2018 with baseline bacterial STI prevalence of 11%. Twenty-six of 81 eligible MSM on PrEP had incident STIs with an incidence rate of 33.1 cases per 100 person-years. Significantly higher proportions of high PrEP adherence, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use were seen in those with incident STI, and we identified MSM with both high PrEP adherence and multiple sexual partners as being at especially high risk for bacterial STIs (hazard ratio: 7.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.75–32.74). Bacterial STIs are common after initiating PrEP in this clinic, and MSM reporting high PrEP adherence and multiple sexual partners have a significant risk for incident STI. High-risk sexual behaviors persisted after starting PrEP, highlighting the importance of ongoing, intensive sexual health screening and interventions.


Curationis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.T.J. Molapo ◽  
T.M.M. Maja ◽  
S.C.D. Wright

Sexually transmitted diseases are the second highest cause of death among women aged 15-44 years. The incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases is on the increase at many health care centres despite their dreadfulness and many preventative measures. According to the Scope of Practice of registered professional nurses working in a community health clinic, the registered professional nurse has a responsibility to prevent disease and promote health as well as do research. This paper aims to describe guidelines to reduce sexually transmitted infections at primary health care centres based on research done to investigate the community specific knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding sexually transmitted infections. Structured interviews were used to collect data from 1694 participants (males and females) who were consulted at a primary health care clinic in Mamelodi, Gauteng province. Existing patients’ records were also utilised to calculate the incidence rate of sexually transmitted infections. Data were computerised and analysed quantitatively to reflect the results in frequencies and percentages as reported in Part 1 of this research. Guidelines to direct the practice of registered professional nurse were developed based on the findings of the results. These guidelines must underpin community specific interventions to reduce the incidence of sexually.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261824
Author(s):  
Kathleen Cullinen ◽  
Macsu Hill ◽  
Taylor Anderson ◽  
Veronica Jones ◽  
John Nelson ◽  
...  

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a worsening public health concern in the United States (US). Though the national incidence of HIV infection has decreased over recent years, that of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have not. Despite national recommendations on prevention, screening, and treatment of these STIs, these practices have not been standardized. Nine Health Resources and Services Administration Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded clinics across 3 US jurisdictions (Florida, Louisiana, and Washington, DC), were selected as clinical demonstration sites to be evaluated in this mixed method needs assessment to inform a multi-site, multi-level intervention to evaluate evidence-based interventions to improve STI screening and testing of bacterial STIs among people with or at risk for HIV. These 3 US jurisdictions were selected due to having higher than national average incidence rates of HIV and bacterial STIs. Descriptive statistics and deductive analysis were used to assess quantitative and qualitative needs assessment data. Results indicate the following needs across participating sites: inconsistent and irregular comprehensive sexual behavior history taking within and among sites, limited routine bacterial STI testing (once/year and if symptomatic) not in accordance with CDC recommendations, limited extragenital site gonorrhea/chlamydia testing, limited annual training on STI-related topics including LGBTQ health and adolescent/young adult sexual health, and limited efforts for making high-STI incidence individuals feel welcome in the clinic (primarily LGBTQ individuals and adolescents/young adults). These findings were used to identify interventions to be used to increase routine screenings and testing for bacterial STIs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1447-1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan K. Edwards ◽  
Elizabeth Crush ◽  
Paul D. Loprinzi

Purpose: The pooled cohort equations were developed in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force to predict an individual’s 10-year risk of an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate how predicted 10-year ASCVD event risk varies as a function of daily dietary behavior. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006. Participants: A total of 2362 adults aged 40 to 79 years. Measures: The ASCVD was assessed via the pooled cohort equations, with the Healthy Eating Index calculated from self-reported dietary behavior. Analysis: Multivariable linear and logistic regression. Results: Adults in the United States consuming a healthy diet (vs those not consuming a healthy diet) had an 88% increased odds of being at low risk for a future ASCVD event within the next 10 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-2.68; P < .001). Similarly, those eating a healthy diet had a 44% reduced odds of being at high risk for a future ASCVD event within the next 10 years (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.93; P = .02). Conclusion: Among adults who were free of cardiovascular disease, those with a healthy diet had reduced odds of being at high risk for a 10-year ASCVD event.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 521-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A Cohen ◽  
David E Kanouse ◽  
Martin Y Iguchi ◽  
Ricky N Bluthenthal ◽  
Frank H Galvan ◽  
...  

We conducted a literature search to review studies that presented quantitative data on sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening in non-traditional settings in the United States. We examined the studies for evidence of the feasibility of screening, population size reached, acceptability, yield, and potential for contributing to STD control. We found 17 studies in jails, eight in emergency room, five in schools and 15 in other community settings. Jail-based and emergency room-based STD screenings have the highest yields and the largest numbers screened and thus hold significant promise as settings for routine STD screening. More research needs to be done in school and community settings to better identify their potential.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S527-S528
Author(s):  
Stephanie Clavijo ◽  
Matthew Herrmann ◽  
Katya Corado

Abstract Background According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), PrEP coverage in the United States was approximately 18% in 2018 and 21.9% in California. We predict that PrEP prescription is lower at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (HUMC) and affiliated clinics within Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Methods A retrospective chart review of HIV-negative patients with ICD-10 coded diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or high-risk sexual behavior was performed across various medical specialties at HUMC and affiliated clinics in 2018. Documentation of sexual behavior risk reduction counseling, PrEP discussion and prescription was reviewed from electronic medical records for each encounter. Descriptive statistics and analysis were completed in STATA Version 16.1, StataCorp LLC. Results The sample included 250 individual patients, all with indications for PrEP. Of those, 47.2% identified as Latinx and 27.2% Black. Table 1 shows 74% of patients identified as heterosexual whereas 9.2% identified as gay, and 4.4% bisexual. Of the 250 individual patients, 87 (34.8%) returned for a 2nd visit, 35 (14.0%) for a third, and 9 (3.6%) for a 4th visit, for a total of 381 encounters. Of the total encounters, 49.3% had sexual behavior risk reduction counseling, 7.3% had discussions about PrEP with their provider, and only 2.1% were newly prescribed PrEP (Table 2). Of the 2.1% new PrEP prescriptions, 1.8% were prescribed by family medicine providers with no new prescriptions by OB/GYN or acute care providers. Only 25% of new PrEP prescriptions were female patients. A positive test for an STI occurred in 45.1% of total encounters while high risk sexual behavior was identified in 54.9% of encounters (Table 3). Table 1: First Encounter Demographics (N=250 Individual Patients) Table 2: Primary Outcomes by Specialty (N=381 Total Encounters) Table 3: Sexually Transmitted Infections Frequency (N=381 Total Encounters) Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that the percent of individuals newly prescribed PrEP (2.1%) at HUMC and affiliated clinics is less than that reported nationally and in California. This suggests that municipal health systems fall short in PrEP usage, notably for structurally vulnerable populations such as racial minorities as well as heterosexual females. Ending racial/ethnic disparities in HIV and in PrEP coverage not only requires educating specialty providers on PrEP, but also addressing structural racism and identifying structural barriers to care in vulnerable communities. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (SI) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Hortence Prosper ◽  
Vanessa L. Moczulski ◽  
Azhar Qureshi ◽  
Mike Weiss ◽  
Tracy Bryars

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in the United States that disproportionately affects disadvantaged youth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Healthy for Life program on childhood overweight and obesity and its impact on lifestyle behaviors that promote lifelong fitness and healthy eating among children and adolescents. The program was offered as a physical education class mostly in schools in underprivileged areas across Southern California. Classes were specifically tailored for children in preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition to an initial screening physical conducted by a physician, program staff conducted anthropometric measurements three times in the school year. Lifestyle behaviors and self-esteem were also evaluated. Fifty-one schools and 1,469 students enrolled in the program. BMI decreased significantly for students at or above the 85th percentile. Students also demonstrated significant improvements in self-esteem scores and indicators for lifestyle behavior. Healthy for Life has important implications for health practitioners. The program has the potential to improve the health of underprivileged youth whose neighborhoods are unsafe and often lack facilities for exercise. Furthermore, it provides a safe, accessible, no cost, and effective method to minimize some of the causal factors of obesity.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Lee Shannon ◽  
Maryann Koussa ◽  
Sung-Jae Lee ◽  
Jasmine Fournier ◽  
Sue Ellen Abdalian ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Sexually 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. OBJECTIVE This study aims to use point-of-care STI tests in community-based settings to screen for and treat STIs in adolescents. METHODS We 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. RESULTS The project was funded in 2016, and enrollment will be completed in 2019. Preliminary data analysis is currently underway. CONCLUSIONS As 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. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03134833; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03134833 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/10795


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