Patient-Delivered Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Among Female Adolescents Using School-Based Health Centers.

INTRODUCTION

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) may reduce Chlamydia trachomatis reinfection. This pilot study was conducted to determine if female adolescents with C. trachomatis accept and deliver EPT to male sexual partners and whether it is associated with decreased C. trachomatis reinfection rates at 3 and 6 months.

METHOD: Forty-six female adolescents, aged 13 to 19years and diagnosed with C. trachomatis at two urban school-based health centers, participated in four visits over 6 months. Participants completed a self-administered self-efficacy scale and a sexual risk behavior and EPT questionnaire and were retested for C. trachomatis 3 and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Overall, 65% accepted EPT, and 73% of those who accepted EPT delivered EPT to their partners. Eighty percent completed the 3-month visit, of these, 30% tested positive for C. trachomatis; 57% completed the 6-month visit, and of these, 15% tested positive for C. trachomatis. Acceptance of EPT was associated with reductions in C.trachomatis reinfection at 3 months (p = .04) but not at 6 months (p = .10). Delivery of EPT was not associated with reductions in C. trachomatis reinfection at 3 or 6 months (p = .08 and p = .44, respectively). Self-efficacy scales did not predict acceptance and delivery of EPT.

DISCUSSION: Although two-thirds of participants accepted EPT and acceptance of EPT was associated with reductions in C. trachomatis reinfection at 3 months, rates of reinfection were high. Implications of these findings are limited by the small sample size. Larger studies are needed to understand potential barriers to delivery of EPT.