Re-Infections of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Females in Florida, 2010

Background:  Females represent a disparate proportion of the population that are infected and re-infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  Many of these re-infections may be due to non-treatment of the infected partner/s.

Objectives: To determine which provider type treats the greatest percentage of female patients that have repeat STDS and determine which provider type treats the greatest percentage of linked partners of females in pregnancy with repeat STDs.

Methods: Analyze STD data reported to the Florida Department of Health for females (15-44) that had 2 or more occurrences of chlamydia/gonorrhea (CT/GC) infections in separate screenings within 1 calendar year (2010).

Results:  Percentage of female patients (n=3,869) with 2 or more occurrences of CT/GC infections were seen by private physicians (29.6%), STD clinics (21%), hospitals (14.5%), and family planning (8.9%) facilities.   Percentage of female patients in pregnancy (n=986) with 2 or more occurrences of CT/GC seen by private physicians (40.2%), hospitals (15.6%), ObGyns (11.3%), and prenatal (9.2%) facilities.   Percentage of linked partners (n=400) to females in pregnancy with 2 or more occurrences of CT/GC primarily seen in prenatal clinics (59.6%), hospitals (50.7%), ObGyns (50.5%), private physicians (49.7%).

Conclusions:  In these times of health care reform and budget cuts, informing providers of the services that are currently offered and possibly expanding STD intervention services to groups that are currently not offered these services can be a means to prevent diseases and thus increase program effectiveness. Providers should develop a referral to give to these females with recurrent STDs and for their partners. This referral should include general STD information and contact information for the local health department.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: There is a need in the private sector for STD education and prevention for patients and their partners. Services should be expanded/offered to both patients in the public and private sector.