Gaps in sexually transmitted infection screening among youth living with HIV in Alabama

• Authors: Henna Budhwani, Florida State University; Jiaying Hao, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health; Allysha C. Maragh-Bass, FHI 360; Samantha Hill, Emory University; Dustin M. Long, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health; Tina Simpson, Heersink School of Medicine
• Journal Title: BMC Research Notes
• Volume: Volume 15, Number 1
• Publisher: BMC | 2022-12-01, Pages 347-347
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-06241-7
• Subjects: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Alabama; Chlamydia; Gonorrhea; HIV; Sexually transmitted infections; Syphilis; Testing; Youth; Male; Adolescent; Female; Humans; United States; Syphilis; Alabama; HIV Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Gonorrhea; Mass Screening; Chlamydia Infections; Homosexuality, Male

Abstract

Objective:: Gaps in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing can lead to poor health outcomes due to untreated illness among youth living with HIV (YLHIV). Thus, the objective of this study is to examine STI testing behavior and outcomes among a sample of YLHIV in the southern United States. Clinical records of 139 YLHIV who received HIV care in Alabama (2017–2020) were evaluated for receipt of STI testing (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis), prevalence of positive test results, and factors associated with testing outcomes (933 clinical visits). Results:: Nearly 80% of our sample identified as African American, most were 20–24 years, and about 60% reported detectable viral load at first visit during the study period. Just under 60% of cisgender male and transgender female clients reported receipt of at least one STI test, compared to less than 40% of cisgender females. Identifying as a cisgender male and having been diagnosed with HIV related to sex with men were associated with greater likelihood receiving STI testing. Cisgender males reported higher rates of positive syphilis test results than cisgender females; the highest rates of positive STI tests were among transgender females. Results underscore need for providers to promote routine STI testing to YLHIV.