The Effects of Expedited Partner Therapy on Reoccurrence of Chlamydia Trachomatis

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common treatable sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to reduce the rates of recurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in males and females over the age of 17 at a public health clinic in Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area over three months. Clinic-wide there is an average of 23 confirmed cases of Chlamydia trachomatis every three months. From mid-August to mid November 2018, 25 patients tested positive for infection. Out of the 25 patients testing positive for Chlamydia trachomatis 14 were offered expedited partner therapy for each of their sexual partners with whom they had contact within the previous 60 days. Only 8 of those 14 patients accepted expedited partner therapy for their partners, which was an edited partner therapy acceptance rate of 57%. All 25 patients testing positive for infection, whether accepting or not accepting EPT, were asked to return for an infection check at three months after diagnosis to test for rates of recurrence of infection. Once EPT is found to be effective at reducing rates of recurrence of infection in the sexually transmitted infection department at the project site, the intervention will be used on a permanent basis to reduce rates of recurrence clinic-wide and in the community.