Syphilis testing in association with gonorrhea/chlamydia testing during a syphilis outbreak.
We used an electronic medical records system retrospectively to evaluate how frequently, in a public hospital and its clinics, combined gonorrhea/chlamydia tests were accompanied by a syphilis test before and during a syphilis outbreak. Among 70,330 gonorrhea/chlamydia tests (1996-2000), the proportion with a syphilis test increased from 13% (preoutbreak) to 50% (intervention period) for men and from 6% to 13% for nonpregnant women. The increased syphilis testing coincided with a multifaceted public health intervention.
Rosenman
Marc B
MB
Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. mrosenma@iupui.edu
Kraft
Stephanie K
SK
Harezlak
Jaroslaw
J
Mahon
Barbara E
BE
Katz
Barry P
BP
Wang
Jane
J
Arno
Janet N
JN
D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*