Integration of Partner Notification Services at a Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic.

OBJECTIVES: PNS is critical to prevent the spread of STIs. We evaluated the feasibility of integrating PNS into an STI clinic focused on MSM. DESIGN/METHODS: The RI STI Clinic, in partnership with the RIDOH, implemented a PNS program in 2019. Interviews with patients diagnosed with gonorrhea/ syphilis were conducted. RIDOH attempted outreach to partners identified. We utilized interview data among MSM diagnosed with gonorrhea/syphilis in clinic from 1/1/19-12/31/2021. Bivariate analyses/multivariable logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: 341 MSM were diagnosed with gonorrhea/syphilis during the three-year period, and 233 (68%) interviews were completed. Partner information was provided in 173 (74%) interviews. At least one workable partner was provided in 110 (47%) interviews. No statistically significant associations between provision of workable partners and index patient age/race/ethnicity were found. CONCLUSIONS: PNS at an STI clinic was successful, but challenges led to suboptimal information. Research is needed to identify barriers to integrate/optimize PNS in STI clinics.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Cascade Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Engaging in Partner Notification Services at a Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic.

Partner notification services (PNS) offers opportunities to discuss HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and provide referrals. We evaluated the PrEP care cascade among men who have sex with men (MSM) engaging in PNS within a sexually transmitted infections clinic. Among 121 MSM eligible for PrEP during PNS, 21% subsequently initiated PrEP.

Safety of Longer-Term Doxycycline Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Implications for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Chemoprophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia have significantly increased over the past decade in the United States. Doxycycline as chemoprophylaxis (i.e., postexposure prophylaxis) offers promise for addressing bacterial STIs. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the safety of longer-term doxycycline use (defined as 8 or more weeks) in the context of potential use as STI chemoprophylaxis through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. METHODS: This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to search MEDLINE/PubMed for clinical studies published from August 2003 to January 2023 that reported on adverse events with doxycycline use with a focus on side effects and metabolic effects of long-term use. RESULTS: A total of 67 studies were included in the systematic review. Overall, studies on longer-term doxycycline use reported 0% to greater than 50% adverse events ranging from mild to severe. Most common adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain), dermatologic (i.e., rash), and neurological (i.e., headache and dizziness) symptoms. Discontinuation of doxycycline due to adverse events was relatively uncommon in most studies. A meta-analysis of placebo controlled clinical trials (N = 18) revealed that gastrointestinal and dermatological adverse events were more likely to occur in the doxycycline group. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term (8+ weeks) doxycycline use is generally safe and may be associated with minor side effects. Further research is needed on the potential metabolic impact of longer-term doxycycline use.