Background:
Illinois STD-Related Infertility Prevention Project (IIPP) selective screening criteria recommend that sexually active females attending IIPP screening sites receive a test for chlamydia at least annually if they are either under 25 years of age or 25 years of age and older with a risk factor. An analysis of chlamydia screening data among females at selected IIPP screening sites during 2000 to 2004 indicated that an annual average of 55,691 (38.7%) chlamydia tests were among females 25 years of age and older at a projected cost of $696,138.

Objective:
To assess the use of test kit allotments to reduce chlamydia testing in females not meeting the selective screening criteria enabling expanded testing in higher risk populations and higher yield venues.

Method:
IIPP chlamydia screening data among females for 2004 was analyzed by age group and an allocation algorithm was developed and implemented in 2005 to encourage increased testing among females under 25 years of age and males while reducing testing in females 25 years of age and older with no identified risk factors.

Result:
A preliminary analysis of 2005 IIPP testing data (year 1 - implementation) indicates that testing in females 25 years of age and older was reduced by 14.6% (7,733 tests) enabling these tests to be available for re-allocation to higher risk populations and higher yield venues or a reduction in testing costs of up to $96,663.

Conclusion:
Implementing test kit allotments is an effective strategy to reduce chlamydia testing in low risk females enabling expanded testing in higher risk populations and higher yield venues.

Implications:
In an era of level or decreased funding for chlamydia screening, reducing testing in low risk females can free up resources for expanding testing in higher risk populations and higher yield venues without increased funding.