USPSTF Releases New Guidelines on the Prevention of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released several guidelines dealing with sexually active individuals and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In an update to the 2007 and 2005 guidelines on chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively, the USPSTF has recommended that all sexually active females 24 years or younger should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

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Older women who are at increased risk of infection should also be screened for the 2 STIs, although the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend screening in men.

In an update to guidelines from 2008, the USPSTF has also recommended that all sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk for STIs undergo intensive behavioral counseling.

The counseling is to be delivered through primary care settings or referred by primary care practitioners to other settings.

The Task Force noted that the most beneficial behavioral counseling interventions were 2 hours long or more, provided basic information about STI transmission, and trained adolescents in skills including condom use, communication, and goal setting. These could be provided face-to-face, over the phone, or through the use of video or written materials.

—Michael Potts

LeFevre ML.  Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: U.S. preventive services task force recommendation statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2014 [epub ahead of print] September 23. doi:10.7326/M14-1981

LeFevre ML.  Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: U.S. preventive services task force recommendation statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2014 [epub ahead of print] September 23. doi:10.7326/M14-1965