Point of care test results increase short term abstinence in adolescent women

Background:
Point-of care (POC) testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) allows the clinician to provide immediate results, treatment, and counseling on STI prevention strategies. This is particularly important when follow up is uncertain, such as for adolescents and patients evaluated in emergency departments (EDs).

Objective:
To evaluate the impact of POC STI tests on reported abstinence, partner notification and partner testing among adolescent women.

Method:
A short term, longitudinal study of women (age 14-21) attending an ED or primary care visit with STI testing collected demographics, risk behaviors, and treatment at baseline. POC tests for trichomoniasis were performed. Routine Chlamydia and gonorrhea test results were available 48 hours later. Seven days after their visit, subjects were interviewed by telephone regarding test results, abstinence, and partner notification. Logistic regression produced odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Result:
Telephone contact was successful for 156 (53%) of 294 women recruited. Of those contacted, 67 (43%) had an STI; 52 believed their STI results were positive (25 + POC test, 23 + Chlamydia or gonorrhea, 4 no + STI); 19 were unaware of + STI results. Ninety-seven (62%) reported abstaining from sexual intercourse since their visit. Predictors of abstinence included a + POC test (OR 4.6, CI 1.5- 13.6) and Black race (OR 3.5, CI 1.3-9.9). While 82% reported notifying a partner that she was tested, only 48% declared that her partner was tested for STIs. Women who believed their STI results were positive were more likely to report partner testing (OR 4.9, CI 2.2-10.6).

Conclusion:
POC tests and awareness of STI results increase post visit STI prevention behaviors.

Implications:
Although follow up contact is difficult to achieve in adolescents, effective communication of results is necessary. Increased use of POC tests for STIs may improve communication and impact STI risk behaviors in adolescents.