Sexually transmitted infection testing in the national Veterans Health Administration patient cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Objectives

We performed a retrospective study of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV testing in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) during 2019-2021.

Methods

We determined the annual number of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV tests from 2019-2021 using electronic health record data. We calculated rates by age, birth sex, race, census region, rurality, HIV status, and use of PrEP.

Results

The VHA system experienced a 24% drop in chlamydia/gonorrhea testing, a 25% drop in syphilis testing, and a 29% drop in HIV testing in 2020 versus 2019. By the conclusion of 2021, testing rates had recovered to 90% of baseline for chlamydia/gonorrhea, 91% for syphilis, and 88% for HIV. Declines and subsequent improvements in STI testing occurred unequally

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9452156 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature