EBC for the management of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae recommends testing for reinfection following treatment, but retesting rates are typically low.
Participants included 6 primary care clinics taking part in a pilot study of strategies designed to improve partner notification, follow-up, and testing for reinfection. Rates of retesting between 6 weeks and 6 months of positive chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnosis were compared across two time periods.
25.4% were retested during the control period and 47.9% during the intervention period. Retesting rates increased across most demographic groups, with at least twofold increases observed for men, those aged 20–29 years old, and Māori and Pasifika ethnic groups. No significant difference was observed in repeat positivity rates for the two time periods, 18% retested positive during the control, and 16.4% during the intervention period.
The study concluded that the clinician and patient information and approach to follow-up resulted in significant increases in proportions tested for reinfection within 6 months. These simple strategies could readily be implemented in primary healthcare settings.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/46/1/32
