The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48188

David Bell, MD¹, Lorraine Tiezzi, MS¹, Roger Vaughan, DrPH¹, Bruce Armstrong, DSW¹, Alwyn Cohall, MD², and Carolyn L Westhoff, MD, MSc³. (1) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave., B3, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-7737, dlb54@columbia.edu, (2) Harlem Health Promotion Center, Columbia University, 600 West 168th Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10032, (3) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and School of Public Health, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, PH 16-80, New York, NY 10032

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States; nationwide rates have gone from under 50 per 100,000 in 1987 to nearly 350 per 100,000 in 1997. Once diagnosed, chlamydia is curable, yet three-quarters of females and half of males who have chlamydia are asymptomatic. Differential rates of infection for males (approximately 50 per 100,000) vs. females (approximately 350 per 100,000) are partly due to differential testing rates. Chlamydia re-infection rates for female family planning patients are also reportedly high; they are diagnosed and treated, but become re-infected by their undiagnosed and untreated partner(s).

The complications of untreated chlamydia infection for women include the development of PID (which may lead to infertility) or pregnancy complications. For men, the complications include prostatitis and epididymitis. It is clear that increased testing and treatment for males is important for both male and female reproductive health. The key is to provide males with an attractive alternative to the penile probe technique for chlamydia testing. We initiated a DNA amplification urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia males who attended our Young Men’s Clinic. The YMC is operated by the Center for Community Health and Education in the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, and by the New York Presbyterian Hospital. It serves men 13-30 years old, and receives over 2,500 visits annually. In this presentation, we will describe the study and present feasibility, acceptability, and utility of the chlamydia urine screening combined with single dose treatment program for men.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the asymptomatic chlamydia infection rates, recognize the utility of a simpler screening procedure, and apply the results of this study to other reproductive health programs.

Keywords: STD, Male Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.