Should we screen less frequently for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in gay and bisexual men who have sex with men? Findings from a global crowdsourcing exercise with experts.

OBJECTIVES

Many countries recommend 3-monthly chlamydia/gonorrhoea screening for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Evidence about the limited impact of frequent, asymptomatic gonorrhoea/chlamydia screening on population prevalence, coupled with concerns about overburdened health services and antimicrobial resistance (from frequent treatment), calls into question current approaches to asymptomatic screening. We explored sexual health professionals/experts' arguments in favour/against reducing asymptomatic screening using Polis (www.Pol.is), an online, crowdsourcing tool for understanding what large groups think.

METHODS

Recruited via global peak bodies/networks, 99 individuals in the field of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (43.4 % clinicians, 35.4% researchers) primarily from Australasia (41.4%), UK/Europe (29.3%) and North America (22.2%) participated. Ninety-one statements were submitted in favour/against reduced screening for GBMSM (eg, 'Bisexual men who don't test regularly risk putting women at risk'). Participants voted on submitted statements (agree/disagree/pass). Statements with ≥80% agreement were considered as 'strong' support, 70%-79% 'moderate' and ≤69% 'mixed'. Statements were grouped using content analysis to assess support for clusters of related statements.

RESULTS

There was 'mixed support' for statements on: (1) the impact of screening in reducing prevalence; (2) whether asymptomatic infections pose clinical harm/necessitate treatment; and (3) risk of antimicrobial resistance. Statements advocating for 6-monthly screening received 'moderate support', with arguments centring on resource use. Participants 'strongly supported' the need for community engagement and maintaining frequent HIV/syphilis screening.

CONCLUSIONS

While there were mixed opinions about relative utility, risks and harms of reducing chlamydia/gonorrhoea screening for GBMSM, arguments relating to resource constraints may provide common ground for policy changes.