Comparison of methods to increase repeat testing in persons treated for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia at public sexually transmitted disease clinics.
BACKGROUND
Retesting 3 to 4 months after treatment for those infected with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea has been recommended.


OBJECTIVE
We compared various methods of encouraging return for retesting 3 months after treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea.


METHODS
In study 1, participants were randomly assigned to: 1) brief recommendation to return, 2) intervention 1 plus $20 incentive paid at return visit, or 3) intervention 1 plus motivational counseling at the first visit and a phone reminder at 3 months. In study 2, participants at 1 clinic were randomly assigned to 4) intervention 1, 5) intervention 1 plus phone reminder, or 6) intervention 1 plus motivational counseling but no telephone reminder.


RESULTS
Using multiple logistic regression, the odds ratios for interventions 2 and 3, respectively, compared with intervention 1 were 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-2.5) and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3-5.0). The odds ratios for interventions 5 and 6 compared with intervention 4 were 18.1 (95% CI, 1.7-193.5) and 4.6 (95% CI, 0.4-58.0).


CONCLUSIONS
A monetary incentive did not increase return rates compared with a brief recommendation. A reminder phone call seemed to be the most effective method to increase return.
Malotte
C Kevin
CK
Community Health and Social Epidemiology Programs, Health Science Department, California State University, Long Beach 90815, USA. kmalotte@csulb.edu
Ledsky
Rebecca
R
Hogben
Matthew
M
Larro
Michelle
M
Middlestadt
Susan
S
St Lawrence
Janet S
JS
Olthoff
Glen
G
Settlage
Robert H
RH
Van Devanter
Nancy L
NL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011177:Postal Service; D017010:Reminder Systems; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome