AI Article Synopsis
- Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. are particularly affecting adolescents aged 15-24, especially those from vulnerable groups like gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, as well as homeless youth and those with mental health or substance use issues.
- The study aims to implement point-of-care STI tests in community settings, screening and treating adolescents in Los Angeles and New Orleans, targeting both HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected youth.
- With ongoing data analysis and a focus on improving access to sexual health services, the ultimate goal is to evaluate the prevalence of STIs and the effectiveness of community-based screening and treatment initiatives for at-risk youth.
Article Abstract
Background: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States, with approximately half of new infections occurring among adolescents aged 15-24 years. Gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (GBTY), homeless youth, and youth with histories of drug use, mental health disorders, and incarceration are all at uniquely high risk for STIs. However, these adolescents often lack access to sexual health services.
Objective: This study aims to use point-of-care STI tests in community-based settings to screen for and treat STIs in adolescents.
Methods: We are recruiting 1500 HIV-uninfected youth and 220 HIV-infected youth from homeless shelters, GBTY organizations, and community health centers in Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana. Study participants will receive STI screening every 4 months for 24 months. STI screening includes rapid HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Hepatitis C virus testing. Trained paraprofessionals will conduct all STI testing. When a participant screens positive for an STI, they are either linked to a partner medical clinic or provided with same-day antibiotic therapy and expedited partner therapy. We will monitor STI prevalence among study participants as well as point-of-care test performance, linkage to care, and treatment outcomes.
Results: The project was funded in 2016, and enrollment will be completed in 2019. Preliminary data analysis is currently underway.
Conclusions: As STI rates continue to rise, it is important to improve access to screening and treatment services, particularly for high-risk adolescents. In this study, we aim to evaluate the use of point-of-care STI diagnostic tests in community-based organizations. We hope to determine the prevalence of STIs among these adolescents and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of community-based STI screening and treatment.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03134833; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03134833.
International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/10795.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6450482 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/10795 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
German evidence- and consensus-based guideline on the management of penile urethritis.
J Dtsch Dermatol Ges
January 2025
Department of Infection Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Urethritis is a common condition predominantly caused by sexually transmitted pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium. It is not possible to differentiate with certainty between pathogens on the basis of clinical characteristics alone. However, empirical antibiotic therapy is often initiated in clinical practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment of a New Rapid Simultaneous Molecular Assay for the Detection of STI Pathogens and Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations.
Mol Diagn Ther
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
Background: In the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, there has been a demand for multiple molecular assays to rapidly and simultaneously detect not only pathogens but also drug resistance-associated mutations.
Methods: In this study, we developed a new rapid simultaneous molecular assay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and M. genitalium macrolide (23S rRNA gene, A2058/A2059) and fluoroquinolone (ParC gene, S83I) drug resistance-associated mutations in approximately 35 minutes.
Sexual Abuse as a Cause of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a Bisexual Adolescent Indonesian: A Case Report.
HIV AIDS (Auckl)
January 2025
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual act or behavior using force, with significant concern in "men who have sex with men" (MSM), and younger individuals. The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is also prevalent in the cases of sexual abuse in this population, showing the need for comprehensive medical and psychological intervention. This study presents a case of a 15-year-old Indonesian MSM adolescent who experienced three forced sexual intercourse with a mid-thirties male friend 6 months before the consultation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPervasive Games for Sexual Health Promotion: Scoping Literature Review.
JMIR Serious Games
January 2025
Department of Interactive Visualization and Virtual Reality, Faculty of Engineering, University of Talca, Talca, Chile.
Background: Serious games play a fundamental role in promoting safe sexual behaviors. This medium has great potential for promoting healthy behaviors that prevent potential risk factors, such as sexually transmitted infections, and promote adherence to sexual health treatments, such as antiretroviral therapy. The ubiquity of mobile devices enhances access to such tools, increasing the effectiveness of video games as agents of change.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcceptability of multi-level sexual health interventions and sexually transmitted infection screening and testing among persons with HIV across three clinical sites in Florida.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
November 2024
Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Introduction: The US state of Florida has the third highest rate of HIV as well as high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) indicating critical HIV and STI prevention needs remain unmet. To address gaps in the STI care continuum in people with HIV (PWH), evidence-based interventions were implemented across three Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) funded clinics in Florida between August 2020-August 2021. Interventions included comprehensive sexual health history (SHH) taking using audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) software, self-collected extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, and the introduction of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) welcoming environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!