Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Teens with STDs don’t self-medicate enough, new study published in the JAMA Pediatrics. Less than 60% of them follow the prescription given to them in gynecological emergencies.
“We were surprised to find that the rates of filling prescriptions among adolescents were so low,” says Monika K. Goyal, assistant chief in a pediatric emergency department and director of the study. “Our results demonstrate the imperative need to identify innovative methods to improve treatment adherence in this high-risk population,” she adds.
Only 54.1% of prescriptions were filled
The study, conducted in two emergency departments, included adolescents aged 13 to 19 who were prescribed antimicrobial treatment between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. All suffered from a salpingitis or chlamydia. Of 696 STDs diagnosed, 208 adolescents received antimicrobial treatments, but only 54.1% of those prescriptions were followed.
“Adolescents can face a number of barriers to taking their STD treatment, including fees, access to transportation, and privacy issues,” Monika K. Goyal said.
In France, the number of people diagnosed with a Chlamydia infection was estimated at 267,097 in 2016, a rate of 491 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the latest Public Health France survey. A predominance of the infection is observed in women (592/100,000 versus 380/100,000 in men). Young women aged 15-24 are the most affected, particularly in Ile-de-France and in the Overseas Departments.
Sharp increase in diagnoses
In addition, the data show that the number of diagnoses of Chlamydia and gonococcal infection in 2016 was multiplied by 3 compared to estimates for the year 2012. These pathologies, which are transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse, are very contagious and can lead to serious complications if they are not taken care of (chronic pelvic pain, infertility, weakening of the mucous membranes and increased risk of HIV contamination, mother-child transmission, etc.).
“The sharp increase in diagnoses of these infections observed in 2016 may be due to several factors. It may be explained firstly by an underestimation of the cases diagnosed in 2012 but also by an intensification of screening and the improvement of the sensitivity of the tests used and finally, by the increase in the incidence of these STDs themselves”, specifies Florence Lot, head of the HIV / AIDS, hepatitis B and C unit, at Public Health France.
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