STI Treatment Adherence: Why & What to Do
- Despite the fact that chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable, a new study indicates meaningful gaps in treatment.
- The study, which examined data from a national registry of primary care clinicians, aimed to assess the timeliness and appropriateness of treatment for these common sexually transmitted infections.
- Of the 6,678 chlamydia cases and 2,206 gonorrhea cases identified between 2018 and 2022,approximately 75% and 70% respectively,were treated within 30 days of diagnosis.
A new study uncovers significant gaps in STI treatment adherence, revealing that many patients diagnosed wiht chlamydia and gonorrhea don’t receive timely or guideline-recommended antibiotics.Thes findings highlight disparities based on gender,race,and location,underscoring the critical need for improved healthcare access. Researchers found that roughly 30% of the cases documented between 2018 and 2022 went untreated, possibly contributing to the spread of infections and long-term complications. Learn about the barriers contributing to these treatment gaps, including insurance access and transportation challenges, and how the choice of prescribed antibiotics impacts patient outcomes. News Directory 3 offers additional resources to learn how the lack of a standard medication regimen threatens the spread of antibiotic resistance.Discover what’s next in the fight against untreated STIs.
Study Reveals Gaps in STI Treatment Despite Curable Infections
Updated May 26, 2025
Despite the fact that chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable, a new study indicates meaningful gaps in treatment. Each year, about 1.6 million chlamydia cases and 600,000 gonorrhea cases are diagnosed in the U.S. Researchers from Stanford University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that many patients aren’t getting treatment quickly enough, or aren’t receiving the antibiotics recommended by the CDC.
The study, which examined data from a national registry of primary care clinicians, aimed to assess the timeliness and appropriateness of treatment for these common sexually transmitted infections. The findings highlight disparities in care and potential risks to public health.
Of the 6,678 chlamydia cases and 2,206 gonorrhea cases identified between 2018 and 2022,approximately 75% and 70% respectively,were treated within 30 days of diagnosis. However, roughly 30% of cases went untreated. This doesn’t necessarily mean clinicians didn’t offer treatment, but rather that patients didn’t return for results or follow through with prescribed medication.
Barriers to access, such as lack of insurance, transportation, or inflexible work schedules, may contribute to these gaps. Individuals without stable housing or consistent contact information may also face challenges in receiving results and treatment.
The study also revealed disparities in treatment rates among different groups. Women were more likely to receive treatment than men. Non-Hispanic white patients had higher treatment rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. suburban residents also experienced quicker and more consistent treatment compared to those in urban areas.
Even among those who received treatment, only 14% of chlamydia patients and 39% of gonorrhea patients received the CDC’s recommended first-line antibiotics. While doxycycline is the recommended treatment for chlamydia, and ceftriaxone for gonorrhea, azithromycin was frequently prescribed instead.
While the study didn’t explore the reasons behind these treatment choices, researchers suggest that the convenience of a single-dose oral medication like azithromycin may influence prescribing patterns. However, this is concerning given the CDC’s emphasis on specific treatments due to effectiveness and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Appropriate chlamydia treatment and gonorrhea treatment are essential.
Untreated STIs can lead to long-term health complications, including infertility. Moreover, failure to treat these infections promptly contributes to ongoing transmission within communities.The authors stress the need for improved education for both patients and providers regarding the importance of timely and guideline-adherent treatment.
What’s next
Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind these treatment gaps and to develop strategies to improve access to timely and appropriate care for all individuals diagnosed with chlamydia and gonorrhea. Increased awareness and education are crucial to curb the spread of these infections and prevent long-term health consequences.