Document Type
Master's Culminating Experience
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Background: Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States (Mishori, McClaskey, & WinklerPrins, 2012). Due to the high reinfection rate of Chlamydia, the CDC recommends retesting three months after initial treatment (Park, Amey, Creegan, Barandas, & Bauer, 2010).
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate strategies that might improve STD follow-up rates in a clinic setting.
Methods: Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County STD clinic patients 18 years and older who tested positive for NonGonococcal Urethritis (NGU) or Mucopurulent Cervicitis (MPC) and who agreed to participate were given an opinion survey.
Results: Of the 31 participants, 24 were female and seven were male. Twenty-two participants were Black; eight were White; one participant was other. When asked what caused most people to get tested for STDs, 22 said that signs/symptoms (71.0%). Almost half (48.4%) of participants believed a money incentive would most likely stimulate patients to retest for Chlamydia (48.4%). Participants believed that the two ways most people would prefer to be reminded for retesting were by phone call and text message. Nineteen of the 31 participants believed fear is the highest barrier to STD testing.
Recommendations: Staff should send retest reminders using text messaging and phone calls, advise patients to retest after every positive Chlamydia test, and consider providing incentives for retesting. STD clinics need to educate the public on testing/retesting suggestions.
Repository Citation
Bellando, M. L. (2014). Increasing Chlamydia Retesting Rates in STD Clinics. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
