Pilot Study: Re-screening Adolescent and Young Adult Women for Chlamydia Infection Alison Muse NYSDOH Bureau of STD Control Region II IPP meeting November 1, 2006
Background Federal recommendation to re-screen women with Ct infection in 3 months Studies show 11% to 15% of women treated for Ct are re-infected 3-4 months after treatment.
Objectives Determine incidence of re-infection and associated risk factors Assess feasibility of implementing re-screening in IPP clinics Assess effectiveness of reminder methods for encouraging clients to return for re-screening Assess effectiveness of reminder methods for encouraging clients to return for re-screening
Methods Design: Prospective, cross sectional study. Setting:Nine IPP STD clinics. Population: year old women testing Ct positive Sept 1, 2005 to Feb 28, 2006 & providing written informed consent.
Methods Reminder Method: R1: Mail R2: Telephone R3: Unassisted Telephone follow-up for no-shows unless R3 specified Incentive:$15 gift card provided at return visit Risk Assessment: Behavioral risk questionnaire administered at baseline and return visit.
Preliminary Results Baseline 1,347 screened, 179 (13.3%) infected 70 (39%) gave informed consent. Re-screening 56 scheduled to return 21 re-screened, 4 (19%) Ct positive 21 re-screened, 4 (19%) Ct positive 12/21 completed risk assessment at follow up 12/21 completed risk assessment at follow up
Preliminary Results: Reminder Method Method* Scheduled (N=70) Return (N=21) R145 6 R218 5 R3 2 1 Not Specified 5 0 Telephone F-U N/A 9 * R1: Mail, R2: Telephone, R3: Unassisted
Preliminary Conclusions Implementation difficult at clinic level Mail reminder most popular, least successful Combined reminder plus incentive has not enhanced return rates.