Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests Performed by a Large National Laboratory—United States, 2019 to 2020

Tao, Guoyu; Dietz, Stephanie; Jayanthi, P; Gift, Thomas L.

doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000001638

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…However, in contrast to our hypothesis that screening would have made up a smaller proportion of STI testing due to the pandemic restrictions, screening tests actually made up a larger proportion of the testing done during the early pandemic compared to earlier time periods. Hence, while other data suggested that screening decreased more than symptomatic testing during the early COVID-19 pandemic due to increased positive test rates, our data do not support this [4][5][6].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to prior studies, we found that overall STI testing decreased for adolescent females during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels [3][4][5][6]. However, in contrast to our hypothesis that screening would have made up a smaller proportion of STI testing due to the pandemic restrictions, screening tests actually made up a larger proportion of the testing done during the early pandemic compared to earlier time periods.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…These and other adjustments may have mitigated the drop in screening brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Work is needed to understand the relative contribution of these mitigating strategies in order to develop more flexible responses during future disruptive events, as has been called for by others [ 5 , 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have shown that, in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer chlamydia and gonorrhea tests were done [3][4][5][6]. Additionally, there was an increase in the test positivity rate, suggesting that screening was disproportionately affected compared to symptomatic testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [4][5][6]. However, these studies did not specifically look at trends in screening (i.e., asymptomatic) testing versus symptomatic testing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Claims Among Adolescent Females in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization in Ohio, United States

Hart¹,

Haamid²,

Holland-Hall³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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BackgroundTesting for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) decreased during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Less is known about the extent to which screening of asymptomatic adolescents for STIs was specifically affected. Our aim was to describe the impacts of early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on asymptomatic STI screening and overall STI testing among adolescent females aged 13 to 19. We hypothesized that screening would decrease more than overall testing. MethodsWe evaluated claims data from a pediatric accountable care organization responsible for approximately 40,000 adolescent females. We assessed rates of asymptomatic screening and overall testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in this population, comparing the early pandemic to pre-pandemic levels. ResultsBoth STI screening and overall STI testing were found to be significantly decreased during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. The proportion of tests billed as screening was 70% of tests for April to August 2020 (early pandemic), compared to 67% for October 2019 to February 2020 and 64% for April to August 2019, contrary to our hypothesis. ConclusionAsymptomatic screening represented a similar proportion of STI testing among this population of adolescent females during the early COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic testing. More work is needed to understand how asymptomatic screening was proportionally maintained despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Claims Among Adolescent Females in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization in Ohio, United States

Hart¹,

Haamid²,

Holland-Hall³

et al. 2022

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These findings are in line with other qualitative findings from SSPs in the United States [ 14 , 15 , 20 ]. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic there was a national decrease in STI screening [ 21 – 23 ] and an increase in incidence of STIs [ 22 , 24 ]. The use of at-home HIV tests by a program in this study provides one pathway for encouraging HIV testing among PWID during times of prolonged service disruption at SSPs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of COVID-19 on New York State’s Drug User Health Hubs and syringe service programs: a qualitative study

Ude

Behrends²,

Kelly³

et al. 2023

Harm Reduct J

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Background Syringe service programs (SSPs) deliver critical harm reduction services to people who inject drugs (PWID). Some SSPs in New York State received enhanced funding to provide additional services to combat opioid overdose fatalities. These SSPs, known as Drug User Health Hubs, provide buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder and other health-related services in addition to their syringe services. While the COVID-19 pandemic posed widespread challenges to the delivery of health services nationwide, the effect of the pandemic on SSPs uniquely impacts PWID. This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery of Drug User Health Hubs and stand-alone SSPs in New York State. Methods Between July 2020 and September 2020, we performed eleven semi-structured virtual interviews with staff from three Health Hub SSPs and three stand-alone SSPs. The interviews explored the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on SSPs and their clients as well as the changes implemented in response. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We performed content analysis to identify emerging themes from the data. Results Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some SSPs temporarily shut down while others limited their hours of operation. SSPs modified their service delivery to maintain syringe services and naloxone distribution over other services such as STI and HCV testing. They virtualized components of their services, including telemedicine for the provision of buprenorphine. While SSPs found virtualization to be important for maintaining their services, it negatively impacted the intimate nature of client interactions. Participants also described the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of PWID, including isolation, worsened mental health challenges, and increased drug overdoses. Conclusions In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SSPs demonstrated innovation, adaptability, and togetherness. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, SSPs continued to be key players in maintaining access to sterile supplies, buprenorphine, and other services for PWID. In addition to adapting to COVID-19 restrictions, they also responded to the dynamic needs of their clients. Sustainable funding and recognition of the critical role of SSPs in supporting PWID can help to improve outcomes for PWID.

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Sexual Behavior and Sexual Decision-Making Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations from a Rapid Ethnographic Assessment in Marion County, Indiana, October–November 2021

Loosier,

Ogale,

Smith

et al. 2024

Arch Sex Behav

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests Performed by a Large National Laboratory—United States, 2019 to 2020

Abstract: Comparing April 2019 and April 2020, the number of chlamydia tests declined by 53.0% overall (54.1% in stay-at-home states vs. 45.5% others, P < 0.05). Percent positive increased by 23.5% for chlamydia and 79.1% for gonorrhea.

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Claims Among Adolescent Females in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization in Ohio, United States

Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Claims Among Adolescent Females in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization in Ohio, United States

The effects of COVID-19 on New York State’s Drug User Health Hubs and syringe service programs: a qualitative study

Sexual Behavior and Sexual Decision-Making Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations from a Rapid Ethnographic Assessment in Marion County, Indiana, October–November 2021

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