BACKGROUND: Patients without a regular healthcare source are less likely to be tested, diagnosed, and treated effectively for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Emergency departments (EDs) are a major healthcare source for patients without health insurance or primary care providers. GOAL: This study evaluated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women aged 15 to 35 years presenting to a metropolitan ED with genitourinary or pregnancy-related complaints and the frequency with which patients were effectively treated for these infections during routine ED care. STUDY DESIGN: Women completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and submitted urine for ligase chain reaction (LCR) testing for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae. RESULTS: The combined prevalence of gonorrhea and chlamydia was 16.4% (n = 62), and factors associated with infection included younger age and greater numbers of sex partners over 30 days. Problem-oriented care failed to detect infection in most cases, and 58% of infected women left the ED without effective therapy. Through a close working relationship with the local health department, we documented that 92% had received effective follow-up therapy. CONCLUSION: Continued efforts to refine and develop tools for the diagnosis and management of cervical infections for at-risk women seen in EDs are warranted.
BACKGROUND:Patients without a regular healthcare source are less likely to be tested, diagnosed, and treated effectively for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Emergency departments (EDs) are a major healthcare source for patients without health insurance or primary care providers. GOAL: This study evaluated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women aged 15 to 35 years presenting to a metropolitan ED with genitourinary or pregnancy-related complaints and the frequency with which patients were effectively treated for these infections during routine ED care. STUDY DESIGN:Women completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and submitted urine for ligase chain reaction (LCR) testing for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae. RESULTS: The combined prevalence of gonorrhea and chlamydia was 16.4% (n = 62), and factors associated with infection included younger age and greater numbers of sex partners over 30 days. Problem-oriented care failed to detect infection in most cases, and 58% of infected women left the ED without effective therapy. Through a close working relationship with the local health department, we documented that 92% had received effective follow-up therapy. CONCLUSION: Continued efforts to refine and develop tools for the diagnosis and management of cervical infections for at-risk women seen in EDs are warranted.
Authors: Jennifer L Reed; Mohsin A Zaidi; Tiffany D Woods; Justin R Bates; Maria T Britto; Jill S Huppert Journal: J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol Date: 2014-06-25 Impact factor: 1.814
Authors: Jennifer L Reed; Lauren Simendinger; Sarah Griffeth; Hye Grace Kim; Jill S Huppert Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2009-10-12 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Erin E Bonar; Maureen A Walton; Martina T Caldwell; Lauren K Whiteside; Kristen L Barry; Rebecca M Cunningham Journal: J Emerg Med Date: 2015-05-04 Impact factor: 1.484
Authors: Eunsol Park; Kristin S Alvarez; Michael Harms; Courtney Johnson; William Griffith Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 3.868