Expedited partner therapy: a new strategy for reducing sexually transmitted diseases in Minnesota.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the two most commonly reported communicable diseases in Minnesota and the United States. Treatment of sexual partners is essential for control and prevention of these and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, traditional strategies for getting partners into treatment such as patient referral, physician referral, or referral from the health department are not always successful. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is the practice of treating the sexual partners of persons with STDs without medical evaluation. This article describes the evidence that EPT reduces persistent chlamydial and gonococcal infections and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for EPT for heterosexual partners of patients with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. It also addresses legislation that removed the last-known legal barrier to EPT in Minnesota as well as concerns about implementation of this treatment strategy.

A training program for nurses and other health professionals in rural-based settings on screening and clinical management of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Populations at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include those living in rural areas. The authors describe a statewide training program that targeted rural-based health professionals. This program focused on HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis and was designed to (a) enhance participants' ability to conduct sexual histories and risk assessments, (b) educate clients about risk reduction and prevention, (c) screen for and diagnose these infections, (d) clinically manage clients with positive screening test results, (e) access prevention and other educational materials, and (f) conduct other clinical and public health activities. A total of 122 participants reflecting a wide variety of practice settings attended training at five sites throughout Minnesota; 74% of participants were nurses and 81% characterized employment settings as rural. Nurses and other health professionals in rural settings are an important training priority and can play an important role in education, prevention, screening, and clinical care for HIV and other STIs.