Abstract
Study Objective: To describe (1) the treatment interval for adolescent females with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), or Trichomonas vaginalis (TV); (2) the proportion treated in ≤7 days; and (3) factors influencing the treatment interval. Design and Participants: Charts of sexually active females from an urban teen health center who participated in a larger study and were positive for CT, GC or TV (N = 58) were retrospectively reviewed for dates of treatment, and compared to demographic and symptom data. The treatment interval was defined as days from visit to treatment. CT and/or GC were analyzed together (CT/GC) because presumptive treatment covered both infections, and the diagnostic test (nucleic acid amplification) differed from that of TV (wet mount or culture). Results: The median treatment interval was 0 days for TV, 5 days for CT/GC, and 3 days for any STI. Overall, 39 (69%) were treated within 7 days of their visit. Those with TV were more likely than those with CT/GC to receive treatment at their initial visit (58% vs. 6%). Genitourinary symptoms increased the odds of treatment in ≤7 days. The treatment interval was significantly shorter for subjects who had their prescriptions phoned to a pharmacy than for those who returned to clinic for treatment (median 2.5 vs. 8 days). Conclusions: Where presumptive treatment was uncommon, providers were more likely to prescribe same-day therapy to symptomatic patients or those with TV on wet mount. Additional strategies are needed to improve the proportion of adolescent females treated in ≤7 days.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 275-279 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2007 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Chlamydia Infections/*diagnosis/*therapy/*prevention & control
- Female
- Health services Accessibility/*standards
- Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
- Retrospective Studies
- Time factors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology