Fully Integrated e-Services for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections: Results of a 4-County Study in California.

• Autores: Freya Spielberg, Vivian Levy, Shelly Lensing, Ishita Chattopadhyay, Lalitha Venkatasubramanian, Nincoshka Acevedo, Peter Wolff, Debra Callabresi, Susan Philip, Teresa P. Lopez, Nancy Padian, Diane R. Blake, Charlotte A. Gaydos
• Localización: American journal of public health, ISSN 0090-0036, Vol. 104, Nº. 12, 2014, págs. 2313-2320
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objectives. We examined the acceptability, feasibility, and cost of a fully integrated online system (eSTI) for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, treatment, and linkage to care with 4 Northern California health departments. Methods. In April 2012, we implemented the eSTI system, which provided education; testing of self-collected vaginal swabs for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis; e-prescriptions; e-partner notification; and data integration with clinic electronic health records. We analyzed feasibility, acceptability, and cost measures. Results. During a 3-month period, 217 women aged 18 to 30 years enrolled; 67% returned the kit. Of these, 92% viewed their results online. STI prevalence was 5.6% (chlamydia and trichomoniasis). All participants with STIs received treatment either the same day at a pharmacy (62%) or within 7 days at a clinic (38%). Among participants completing follow-up surveys, 99% would recommend the online eSTI system to a friend, and 95% preferred it over clinic-based testing within a study. Conclusions. The fully integrated eSTI system has the potential to increase diagnosis and treatment of STIs with higher patient satisfaction at a potentially lower cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]