![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Background: In light of recent Gonorrhea (GC) drug-resistance, CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) treatment guidelines changed in fall of 2011. We examined the compliance to GC treatment practices among Chicago providers.
Methods: Surveillance data for GC cases reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) between 2011-2012 were analyzed. Data were obtained from the Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and electronic medical records. Analysis was limited to laboratory confirmed GC cases with treatment information, and stratified by provider type (CDPH STI Clinic and non-CDPH providers). Per CDC guidelines, recommended treatments are: a single injection of ceftriaxone alone or in combination with azithromycin or doxycycline. We assessed the proportion of GC cases compliant with recommended treatments before and following CDC updated guidelines, and identified associated factors using multivariable logistic regression
Results: From April 2011 – June 2012, a total of 11,246 laboratory confirmed cases were identified of which 6,263 (55.7%) had treatment information. Prior to the new treatment guidelines (April 2011-July 2011) 39.6% (n=124) CDPH STD clients and 69.7% (n=628) of non-CDPH clients were prescribed compliant therapy. During the year following the updated guidelines (July 2011 – July 2012), CDPH STD providers demonstrated >90% compliance within 4 months of the new treatment recommendations, though compliance remained relatively the same for 69.0% of clients seen by non-CDPH providers. Among CDPH clients, treatment compliance was less likely for females, with no differences by age, race, or clinic location. Among non-CDPH clients, compliance did not differ by age, race, or gender. Compared to hospital providers, compliance was less likely among private providers, community health centers, family planning centers, and emergency departments.
Conclusions: With the emergence of changing N. gonorrhoeae antibiotic susceptibility patterns there is a need for continued surveillance of GC treatment practices among Chicago providers to identify the targeted educational needs among select providers.