The Benefit of Offerring Gonorhhea and Chlamydia Testing At Non Traditional Sites

Background:   According to the CDC, in 2009, Georgia ranked 20^th nationally in reported chlamydia and 10^th in gonorrhea rates respectively. The Georgia Department of Public Health STD Office integrated with non-clinical HIV testing sites in an effort to identify missed opportunities for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. A total of three sites were targeted.  Two sites (A and B) were located in metro Atlanta areas and a third site (C) was located in a rural area.

Objectives:  To identify missed opportunities for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing through the integration of services into non clinical HIV testing sites

Methods:  Collaboration was established between the state of Georgia STD Office and selected non-clinical HIV testing sites. The STD Office provided programmatic support and technical assistance. Resources from the Infertility Prevention Project were used to supply educational materials, testing supplies, and laboratory services.  All sites verified and reported STD treatment through SendSS

Results: Between January and June 2011, 157 tested in metropolitan areas and the remaining 89 were tested in the rural area. Of the 246 persons tested, the overall positivity rate for chlamydia was 8.13% (n=20) and gonorrhea was 6.50% (n=16). Of the total number of persons tested, sites A and B, which represented metro Atlanta areas, collectively yielded a total positivity rate of  7.7% (n=19) in comparison to a 6.9% (n=17) positivity rate for site C, which was rural..

Conclusions:  Integration of gonorrhea and chlamydia testing services into non-clinical HIV testing sites resulted in the testing of 246 persons for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which identified 36 new cases.   

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research:  Non-clinical HIV testing sites should be utilized to integrate STD services by offering gonorrhea and chlamydia testing in both metropolitan and rural areas