Sexually transmissible infection testing among pregnant women in the US, 2011-15

Introduction Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are increasing in the US. Pregnant women and infants are susceptible to serious STI-related sequelae; however, some STIs can be cured during pregnancy with appropriate, timely screening.

We used data from the 2011-15 National Survey of Family Growth to examine STI testing (in the past 12 months) among women who were pregnant in the past 12 months (n = 1155). In bivariate and multivariable analyses, we examined associations between demographics, health care access and two outcome variables, namely receipt of a chlamydia test and receipt of other STI tests.

Among women who were pregnant in the past 12 months, 48% reported receiving a chlamydia test and 54% reported that they received an STI test other than chlamydia in the past 12 months. In adjusted analyses, non-Hispanic Black women were more likely to receive a chlamydia test (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86-4.26) and other STI tests (aOR 2.43; 95% CI 1.58-3.74) than non-Hispanic White women. Women living in a metropolitan statistical area but not the principal city were less likely to report chlamydia (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.44-0.86) and other STI (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.40-0.81) testing than women living in a principal city. Women born outside the US were significantly less likely to have received a chlamydia test (aOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.19-0.64) or other STI test (aOR 0.34; 95% CI 0.20-0.58), whereas those who had received prenatal care were more likely to receive a chlamydia test (aOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.35-3.28) or another STI test (aOR 2.32; 95% CI 1.54-3.49).

The findings suggest that interventions are needed to increase adherence to recommended STI screenings during pregnancy.