LAUSR

BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual, transgender, and homeless youth are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). As part of an adolescent HIV prevention study, we provided same-day Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) testing and treatment. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of same-day CT and NG treatment on the proportion of participants receiving timely treatment. METHODS We recruited adolescents with high sexual risk behaviors aged 12-24 years from homeless shelters, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations, and community health centers in Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana from May 2017 to June 2019. Initially, participants were offered point-of-care pharyngeal, rectal, and urethral/vaginal CT and NG testing and referral to another clinic for treatment. After March 2018 in Los Angeles and November 2018 in New Orleans, we provided same-day treatment (and partner treatment packs) for study participants. We measured the proportion of participants who received treatment within 30 days and the median time to treatment. We collected frequency of partner treatment and any reported adverse treatment-related events. RESULTS The proportion of participants receiving same-day CT and NG treatment increased from 3.6% (5/140) to 21.1% (20/95) [Δ17.5%, 95% CI 9.2, 26.9] after implementation of same-day testing and treatment. The median time to treatment decreased from 18.5 to 3 days. Overall, 36 participants took a total of 48 partner treatment packs. There were no reported treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Providing STI treatment to adolescents at the same visit as testing is safe, feasible, and can increase the proportion of individuals receiving timely treatment.