Predictors of Repeat Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections Among African-American Adolescent Females

Davis, Teaniese P. Latham, Morehouse College
Swartzendruber, Andrea, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Sales, Jessica M., Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Brown, Jennifer L., Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
DiClemente, Ralph J., Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Rose, Eve, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

2012-12-12

2010-2019

BACKGROUND: Young African-American women have the highest rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States. The objective was to identify baseline predictors of repeat Chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea infections among African-American adolescent females. METHODS: Sociodemographic, psychosocial and behavioural data were collected at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years from 701 African-American females (1420 years) enrolled in an HIV prevention trial. Vaginal swabs were self-collected at each visit and assayed for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea using DNA amplification. Among participants testing positive for Chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea at baseline, logistic regression analyses assessed baseline predictors of repeat infection. RESULTS: Of 618 (88%) participants with ?1 follow-up assessment, 123 (20%) had a positive Chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea test result at baseline; 49 (40%) had a repeat infection during the study period. Of those with a repeat infection, 30 (61%) were positive at one follow-up visit, 18 (37%) at two and 1 (2%) at three follow-up visits. Controlling for age and intervention condition, impulsivity (AOR: 1.71, p=.018) was associated with an increased likelihood and having a boyfriend (AOR: 0.21, p=.006) a decreased likelihood of repeat infection. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat Chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea infections are common among African-American adolescent females. Among young African-American women who test positive for Chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea, tailored interventions for more impulsive adolescents and those not in a relationship may reduce risk of repeat infections. Given high numbers of repeat infections after receipt of an evidence-based intervention, enhanced screening and treatment services for young men may be warranted. KEYWORDS: Adolescent, Chlamydia trachomatis, Gonorrhoea, Psychology, Public Health

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articles

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Department of Psychology

Morehouse College

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3810073/

10.1136/sextrans-2012-050530

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/mc.ir.fac.pub:2012_davis

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/