Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Testing and Diagnosis Among 15- to 44-Year-Old Patients With and Without Opioid Use Disorder.

Background: The association between illicit opioid use and prescription opioid misuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has not been examined recently. Our study aimed to explore differences in STI/HIV care, and delivery of recommended testing and diagnoses among patients with and without opioid use disorder (OUD).

Methods: Using 2019 MarketScan commercial claims data, we identified 15- to 44-year-old male and female patients, to assess the percentages of STI/HIV diagnoses (using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification ) and screening (using Current Procedure Terminology codes) among patients with or without OUD diagnoses codes.

Demographic, Behavioral, and Clinical Characteristics of Persons Seeking Care at Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics - 14 Sites, STD Surveillance Network, United States, 2010-2018.

Problem: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major cause of morbidity in the United States, with an estimated $15.9 billion in lifetime direct medical costs. Although the majority of STDs are diagnosed in the private sector, publicly funded STD clinics have an important role in providing comprehensive sexual health care services, including STD and HIV screening, for a broad range of patients.

Identification of United States Counties at Elevated Risk for Congenital Syphilis Using Predictive Modeling and a Risk Scoring System, 2018.

Background: The persistence of congenital syphilis (CS) remains an important concern in the United States. We use the 2018 data to refine a previous predictive model that identifies US counties at elevated risk for CS in 2018.

Methods: Using county-level socioeconomic and health-related data from various sources, we developed a logistic regression predictive model to identify county-level factors associated with a county having had 1 or more CS case reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System in 2018.

Availability of Sexually Transmitted Disease and HIV Clinical Services: Ending the HIV Epidemic Versus Non-Ending the HIV Epidemic Jurisdictions, 2018.

We assessed sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service availability at the primary sexually transmitted disease safety net clinic by phase I Ending the HIV Epidemic jurisdiction status. HIV testing was >90%. In Ending the HIV Epidemic jurisdictions, 22% of primary safety net clinics initiated and/or provided preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 46.

Assessing Partner Services Provided by State and Local Health Departments, 2018.

Background: Surveillance reports have shown that reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing. The provision of partner services is an effective tool for preventing and reducing the spread of STDs. We examined partner services provided by health departments and assessed for associations with jurisdiction size, STD morbidity, and region.

Identification of US Counties at Elevated Risk for Congenital Syphilis Using Predictive Modeling and a Risk Scoring System.

Background: Although preventable through timely screening and treatment, congenital syphilis (CS) rates are increasing in the United States, occurring in 5% of counties in 2015. Although individual-level factors are important predictors of CS, given the geographic focus of CS, it is also imperative to understand what county-level factors are associated with CS.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of reported county CS cases to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System during the periods 2014-2015 and 2016-2017.

Availability of Safety-net Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Services in the U.S., 2018.

Introduction: Safety-net sexually transmitted disease services can prevent transmission of sexually transmitted disease. This study assesses the availability of safety-net sexually transmitted disease clinical services across the U.S.

Health Care Access and Service Use Among Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Respondents Engaging in High-Risk Sexual Behaviors, 2016.

Introduction: Access to health care services such as screening, testing, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is vital for those who engage in high-risk behaviors. Studies examining the relationship between high-risk behaviors and health care access and utilization are crucial for determining whether persons at risk are receiving appropriate health services.

Methods: We examined 2016 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Geographic correlates of primary and secondary syphilis among men who have sex with men in the United States.

Purpose: Primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing; however, there is a lack of research on geographic factors associated with MSM P&S syphilis.

Methods: We used multiple data sources to examine associations between social and environmental factors and MSM P&S syphilis rates at the state- and county-level in 2014 and 2015, separately. General linear models were used for state-level analyses, and hurdle models were used for county-level models.

University efforts to address confidentiality issues for STI services.

This study assessed university policies for addressing confidentiality issues for students seeking STI services. Universities with sponsored health insurance plans (SHIP) and/or wellness centers were selected from a university health services survey in 2017. STI service coverage and polices for addressing confidentiality issues related to explanation of benefit (EOB) forms were stratified by institution type (4-year versus 2-year) and minority serving institution (MSI) status.

The Impact of Budget Cuts on Sexually Transmitted Disease Programmatic Activities in State and Local Health Departments With Staffing Reductions in Fiscal Year 2012.

Staffing reductions in state and local health departments in fiscal year 2012 were concentrated in disease investigation specialists and clinicians (local) and disease investigation specialists and administrative staff (state). Local health departments with budget cuts were significantly more likely to report reduced partner services if they had staffing reductions.

Assessing Sexually Transmitted Disease Partner Services in State and Local Health Departments.

State and local health department sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs provide several partner services to reduce disease transmission. Budget cuts and temporary staff reassignments for public health emergencies may affect the provision of partner services. Determining the impact of staffing reductions on STD rates and public health response should be further assessed.

HIV Services Provided by STD Programs in State and Local Health Departments - United States, 2013-2014.

The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States is higher among persons with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the incidence of other STDs is increased among persons with HIV infection (1). Because infection with an STD increases the risk for HIV acquisition and transmission (1-4), successfully treating STDs might help reduce the spread of HIV among persons at high risk (1-4). Because health department STD programs provide services to populations who are at risk for HIV, ensuring service integration and coordination could potentially reduce the incidence of STDs and HIV.

State and local policies related to sexual orientation in the United States.

Poorer health suffered by lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations may be associated with public policies. We collected the laws that in 2013 prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation from 50 United States (US) states, the District of Columbia (Washington, DC or DC), and the 30 most populous US metropolitan areas. To facilitate future research, we coded certain aspects of these laws to create a dataset.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States.

Purpose: Persons aged 15-25 years have high sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates and suboptimal screening. There has been limited research analyzing barriers to STI testing at a national level. We examined STI testing among 15-25 year olds and reasons for not testing.