Implementation of Expedited Partner Therapy Among Women With Chlamydia Infection at an Urban Family Planning Clinic

In Brief Background: Reinfection with chlamydia is common and expedited partner therapy (EPT) decreases reinfection in clinical trials. Many clinical practices have adopted EPT as the principal treatment strategy for male partners. Little is known about its application and effectiveness in a community setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all female patients with chlamydia between 2004 and 2005 at a university-based family planning clinic. We abstracted demographic and clinical information from charts, including partner treatment strategy. We collected data on reinfection at 3 months and 1 year using a computerized database of laboratory results within the medical system. Results: During 2004 to 2005, 499 women tested positive for chlamydia. Of the 466 women treated, EPT was given to 323 women (69.3%). No baseline characteristics were associated with EPT provision. Only 40% of women returned for a retest within 3 months. Reinfection at 3 months was 4.8%. Patients who received EPT were as likely to be reinfected than those who did not receive EPT (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–13.7). Conclusions: Although EPT was not associated with decreased reinfection, it remains an option for partner treatment. This study highlights the ongoing need to address compliance with retesting within 3 months. In this observational study of how expedited partner therapy (EPT) is implemented in an urban family planning clinic, we found that most women were given EPT (as opposed to partner referral or no partner treatment), but that EPT was not associated with decreased reinfection among those retested within 3 months.