Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are known to increase the risk of HIV transmission from a non-virally suppressed person. STIs are also associated with co-morbidities and mortalities. Technical services focus on enhancing regular screening, treatment, and prevention of STIs among people with HIV.

Best Practices

  • Best Practices Compilation
    Nine sites implemented four evidence-based interventions, collectively known as Addressing STIs: Ask.Test.Treat.Repeat. The four intervention components are audio computer-assisted self-interview sexual history taking, patient self-collection of urogenital and extragenital site chlamydia/gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification test specimens, sexual and gender minority welcoming indicators, and provider training, with the overall goal to routinize STI screening, testing, and treatment in primary care. The interventions increased routine STI screening and testing of bacterial STIs based on reported behavioral risk.
  • Best Practices Compilation
    The Oregon Health Authority awarded contracts to local public health authorities across the state to work with community partners to integrate early intervention services and outreach services, link people to HIV care, and provide support to help clients reach viral suppression. Quick linkage to care resulted in a median of 57 days to viral suppression for Early Intervention Services and Outreach clients in 2019.
  • Best Practices Compilation
    The Huntridge Family Clinic launched the Rapid Start Initiative to provide same-day ART treatment and comprehensive case management to clients with a new diagnosis of HIV. Over 90% of clients received ART on the same day as diagnosis, and 78% of clients were retained in care within the first year of starting treatment.
  • Best Practices Compilation
    The Adolescent Quality Learning Network (AQLN) identified barriers to sexual health care in four areas: sexual health assessment; receipt of sexual health counseling; three-site STI testing; and receipt of STI treatment. The AQLN then tested approaches to address the identified barriers including opt-out testing, self-rectal swabs, and creating a sex positive environment in the clinic. After one year, the AQLN found improvements in the percentage of clients assessed for sexual health risks, as well as improvements in testing and treatment of STIs.
  • Best Practices Compilation
    JumpstART launched in 2016 as part of New York State’s Ending the Epidemic initiative, changing the service delivery model of eight sexual health clinics to include an initial prescription of ART after an HIV diagnosis and prior to linkage to the community provider. Between November 2016 and September 2018, 60% of JumpstART clients received ART on the same day as diagnosis. JumpstART clients were also more likely to reach viral suppression within three months compared to non-JumpstART clients.

Resources

Webinars

Conference Presentations

Howard University
Presenters:
Megan Ware-Pressley
2022 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
CareSouth Medical and Dental
Presenters:
Dionne Bell, Eloisa Lopez
2022 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
Fox Caring Consultants
Presenters:
Theresa Fox, Sarah Corrington
2022 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
Florida Department of Health
Presenters:
Sophia Salem, Alvina Chu, Rual Pino
2022 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
Hawaii State Department of Health
Presenters:
Fenfang Li, Timothy J McCormick, Alan R Katz, Alan Komeya, Katherine Sung, Gerald Hasty, Glenn M Wasserman
2022 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment

Technical Assistance

  • Clinician consultation on HCV management, HIV management, perinatal HIV/AIDS, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis, substance use. Project period: 2016-2025.

  • The NHC provides ongoing, up-to-date information needed to meet the core competency knowledge for HIV prevention, screening, diagnosis, and ongoing treatment and care to healthcare providers in the United States. Project period: 2020-2022.
  • The AETC Program offers clinician education and tailored capacity-building assistance. Project period: 2019-2024.
  • Initiative documenting best practice strategies and interventions that have been shown to improve HIV outcomes in a "real world" setting and can be replicated by other programs. Project period: 2021-2024.

Upcoming Events