Availability of Safety-net Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Services in the U.S., 2018

Safety-net sexually transmitted disease services can prevent transmission of sexually transmitted disease. This study assesses the availability of safety-net sexually transmitted disease clinical services across the U.S.

A 2018 survey of U.S. local health departments examined the availability of safety-net providers and the availability of specific sexually transmitted disease clinical services, including point-of-care testing and treatment. In 2019, Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used to compare service availability by clinic type (sexually transmitted disease clinic versus other clinics).

A total of 326 local health departments completed the survey (49% response rate). Of respondents, 64.4% reported that a clinic in their jurisdiction provided safety-net sexually transmitted disease services. Having a safety-net clinic that provided sexually transmitted disease services was more common in medium and large jurisdictions. Sexually transmitted disease clinics were the primary provider in 40.5% of jurisdictions. A wide range of specific sexually transmitted disease services was offered at the primary safety-net clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Most clinics offered human papillomavirus vaccination and appropriate point-of-care treatment for gonorrhea and syphilis. Fewer than one-quarter of clinics offered point-of-care rapid plasma reagin or darkfield microscopy syphilis testing. Compared with other clinics, services more commonly offered at sexually transmitted disease clinics included same-day services, hepatitis B vaccination, rapid plasma reagin testing (syphilis), any point-of-care testing for gonorrhea, point-of-care trichomonas testing, and extragenital chlamydia or gonorrhea testing.

One-third of local health departments reported no safety-net sexually transmitted disease services or were not aware of the services, and availability of specific services varied. Without an expansion of resources, local health departments might explore collaborations with healthcare systems and innovations in testing to expand sexually transmitted disease services.