title: Addressing the increasing burden of sexually transmitted infections in Rhode Island.
abstract: The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are increasing across the United States, including in Rhode Island (RI). These STIs affect many otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults, and represent a significant source of morbidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages states to develop strategies for addressing increasing STI rates in the setting of diminishing public health resources. The RI Department of Health (DOH) works with providers and funded community- based organizations to promote STI screening, expedited partner therapy, and partner services to reduce STI rates. The Miriam Hospital Immunology Center opened a public HIV/STI Clinic, which offers free and confidential testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, as well as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services to prevent HIV. In collaboration with the RI DOH, the Clinic serves as a referral source across the state for complicated STI cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Rhode Island Department of Health.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alexander-Scott
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: R Bobby
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Ducharme
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benben
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.affiliation: Rhode Island Department of Health.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Comella
authors.affiliation: Rhode Island Department of Health.
authors.forename: Utpala
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bandy
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, and medical director of the RISE TB Clinic.
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Montague
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Erna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kojic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Kimberle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chapin
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Flanigan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003153:Community Health Services; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; PEP; PREP; STI