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Background: Targeted CT and GC testing of WI Family Planning (FP) clinic patients relies on selective screening criteria (SSC) based on clinical, demographic and risk factor data. SSC are tailored to individual clinic setting and re-evaluated periodically during periods of universal screening in representative clinics. The 2009 “GYT” campaign, co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood, was a national effort to promote STD awareness and encourage testing.
Objectives: The GYT campaign provided an opportunity to temporarily expand CT-GC screening, assess prevalence among WI FP clients not meeting SSC, and evaluate and enhance current SSC.
Methods: During April 2009, all clients attending Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPW) clinics were offered no-cost testing for CT-GC. Either a cervical swab or urine was collected for testing by NAAT. Routinely collected demographic, clinical and risk data were obtained along with information from the clinicians to inform possible enhancement of current SSC.
Results: Specimens were collected from 2,725 women and 515 men, an increase of >60% compared to an average month. Overall CT and GC positivity was 6.9% and 0.8% (females) and 18.1% and 4.5% (males). Expanded testing resulted in detection of an estimated 51 additional CT infections in women and 30 in men, and 9 GC in men. CT prevalence among clients meeting vs. not meeting current SSC was 8.6% vs. 3.4% (females) and 31.1% vs. 7.2% (males). Likewise, GC prevalence was 2.0% vs. 0.5% (females) and 14.1% vs. 1.3% (males).
Conclusions: Increased screening for CT-GC during April through the “GYT” campaign yielded ‘additional’ positives among FP clients who otherwise would not be tested, and provided a limited snapshot of SSC performance.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research: The cost of expanded screening projects may be justifiable if data can be used to enhance current practices, and may be mitigated by leveraging with concurrent projects.