ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Appropriate laboratory testing practices are a critical part of sexually transmitted disease (STD) control. GOAL: The goal of this study was to describe the type and volume of STD tests performed in public health laboratories in the United States in 2004. STUDY DESIGN: A web-based survey was made available to 144 members of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen laboratories responded (79%). Overall, 3,553,196 chlamydia tests and 3,461,151 gonorrhea tests were performed; 64.4% of chlamydia tests and 60.8% of gonorrhea tests were nucleic acid amplification tests. Ninety-four percent of laboratories performed syphilis testing. Few laboratories used type-specific tests for herpes simplex virus or used new tests for trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, or human papillomavirus. CONCLUSIONS: This survey collected important data that can be used to monitor trends in STD testing practices in public health laboratories.
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Tests, Routine/statistics & numerical data , Laboratories/standards , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , United States Public Health Service/standards , Diagnostic Tests, Routine/standards , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Internet , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Public health laboratories are a critical component of sexually transmitted disease (STD) control in the United States. GOAL: The goal of this study was to describe the types and volume of STD tests performed in U.S. public health laboratories in 2000. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was mailed to 123 members of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of 100 laboratories responded. Overall, 3294739 chlamydia tests and 3088142 gonorrhea tests were done; 62.4% of chlamydia tests and 63.6% of gonorrhea tests were DNA probes. Fifty-six percent of laboratories performed rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests and 55% performed Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) tests; the number of RPR tests performed was twice that of VDRL tests. Few laboratories used new technologies for bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Eighteen percent of laboratories performed herpes simplex virus serology; however, most used inaccurate tests. No laboratories performed human papillomavirus tests. CONCLUSIONS: This survey documents for the first time STD tests performed in U.S. public health laboratories.
