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Background: The prevalence of gonorrhea and chlamydial infection is high among females and males treated in the preceding several months. Repeat infections confer an elevated risk for pelvic inflammatory disease and other complications. CDC recommends retesting all females and males approximately 3 months after treatment for chlamydia (CT) or gonorrhea (GC), or whenever they next seek medical care within the following 3–12 months.
Objectives: To describe three-year trends in CT retesting rates and repeat positivity among males and females attending facilities participating in the Region II Infertility Prevention Project (IPP).
Methods: Electronic laboratory data were available from four project areas (New Jersey, New York City, New York State, and the US Virgin Islands). Unduplicated data were reviewed for 31,622 females and 32,152 males who tested positive for CT from CY2007-CY2009. We calculated the elapsed time between the first positive test reported each calendar year and the next chlamydia test, and the repeat positivity rate; for analysis purposes, we defined a “retest” as a second test performed within 30-180 days.
Results: Overall, 12% of males and 21% of females who tested positive for chlamydia were retested within 30-180 days; 23% of males and 15% of females retested positive. Rates varied by project area and facility. Overall, retesting rates declined steadily from CY2007-CY2009, from 16% to 8% for males and from 24% to17% for females. Retesting rates and repeat positivity were highest among teens.
Conclusions: Retesting rates in Region II are low (<25%), lower for males than females, and appear to be declining.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: Programs should implement systems to monitor and improve client retesting rates as part of a broader quality assurance plan that encompasses targeted screening and timely treatment for index patients and their partners.