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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Maria A. Villarroel, MA¹, Susan M. Rogers, PHD¹, and William C. Miller, MD; PhD, MPH². (1) Statistics and Epidemiology, RTI International, 701 13th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20005, 202-728-2470, mvillarroel@rti.org, (2) Dept. of Medicine; Dept of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, 2105F McGavran-Greenberg Hall, c27599-7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400

Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with repeat gonococcal (GC) and/or chlamydial (CT) infection detected among adults with a self-reported history of infection within the past two years.

Methods: From November 2002 to February 2005, 5,537 sexually active patients aged 18-35 attending an urban emergency department provided urine (males) or swab (females) specimens for screening of GC and CT infection by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). Subjects also completed an audio computer-assisted self interview (ACASI) that collected information on STI history.

Results: 9.6% of participants tested NAAT positive for gonorrhea and/or chlamydial infection and (15.4%) reported a history of GC and/or CT within the past 2 years. 14% of participants with a prior infection within the past two years also tested positive by NAAT. A previous history of infection was not a predictor of a NAAT+ outcome (p>0.1).

Participants with repeat infections within the past two years were more likely to report no antibiotic use (adj. OR=2.4, CI 1.1-5.3). They were also more likely to be younger (adj. OR =4.0, CI 2.2-7.3) and report STI symptoms (adj. OR=1.9, CI 1.2-3.1). High risk behaviors (e.g. recent new partners, multiple partnership, or irregular condom use) were not significant predictors.

Conclusions: Improved public health measures are needed to reduce the high frequency of recurrent GC/CT infections, particularly among young adults.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify potential risk factors for repeat GC/CT infections among young adults.
• Enhance STI awareness and screening practices to reduce the frequency of recurrent GC/CT infections among young adults.

Keywords: STD, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation