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Find the NCC on Facebook!
The National Chlamydia Coalition is now on Facebook. To follow the NCC, simply visit our page and click the "like" button. Don't forget to share it with your friends and colleagues!
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Dear Colleague,
Welcome to NCC News. This online newsletter was created to keep you up-to-date on all things chlamydia and related areas of interest. We hope you will find it useful and informative. Please feel free to share this with your colleagues who also may find it of use. |
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2015 STD Treatment Guidelines Materials Now Available
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In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its updated Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015. CDC has developed several resources for clinicians based on the Guidelines, including:
- Wall Chart - This poster-sized chart provides an overview of CDC's 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines. The wall chart is ideal for use in doctors' offices, nurses' stations, and other clinical settings.
- Pocket Guide - A booklet that includes a summary of CDC's 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines. It is printed at a size that can fit in a lab coat, pocket, or desk drawer. Limited quantities are now available to order through CDC-INFO on Demand Publications.
- Apple STD Tx Guide 2015 App - This easy-to-use mobile reference features a streamlined interface so that providers can quickly and easily access STD treatment and diagnostic information. The free app is currently available for Apple devices.
- Evidence Tables - These background documents provide a basis for the STD screening, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations included in the 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines.
Additionally, CDC hosted a webinar to provide an overview of the updates in the Guidelines and answer questions. The webinar, slides, and continuing education (CE) information are now available.
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Impact of Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines on Screening for Chlamydia
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 In 2009, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended against cervical cancer screening before the age of 21, regardless of sexual activity. According to a new small study, this change may be causing some young women to miss out on screening for chlamydia. Researchers looked at young women aged 15 to 21 years old who made visits to five family medicine clinics at the University of Michigan. From 2008 to 2009, more than 500 young women were screened for chlamydia. But from 2011 to 2012, after the guideline change, only 37 were screened for chlamydia. Yet, the number of visits per patient were roughly the same. Researchers believe that one reason women aren't getting screened for chlamydia is the lack of knowledge about noninvasive screening methods, including a urine sample or vaginal swab. Chlamydia and cervical cancer screening need to be uncoupled and new screening opportunities should be identified.
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Chlamydia Screening 'Easier And Cheaper' With New DNA Smartphone Test
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 Chlamydia is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. Researchers have created a simple smartphone DNA test that they say can accurately detect chlamydia - the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the US. The test - called mobiLab - could reduce the prevalence of chlamydia by making testing for the disease cheaper and easier.
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Call-to-Action to Increase Uptake of
Preventive Sexual Health Services
among African Americans
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The National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH) issued a call-to-action to increase the uptake of essential preventive sexual health services in the African American community. Thanks to historic levels of insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sexual health services are now available for free, including the HPV vaccine, female contraceptives (including the IUD, implant, and pill), cervical cancer screening, and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and HIV.
Unfortunately, many in the black community are not benefitting. For example, in 2013, only 34% of African American girls and 16% of African American boys received all three doses of the HPV vaccine, and 35% of African Americans have never been tested for HIV. At the same time, over half of black women say the cost of and access to contraceptives have been key barriers to their use. To help all Americans get the services they need, the NCSH has developed a guide, Take Charge of Your Sexual Health: What you need to know about preventive services, which includes action steps to good sexual health, charts of recommended services for men and women, questions to ask health care providers, and other resources.
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New Study on Alcohol Use and Unintended Sexual Events
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A new study in Women's Health Issues shows a demonstrated link between alcohol use and unintended sexual events. Researchers
 interviewed 20 women who visited an STD clinic in Baltimore and reported either recent binge drinking or sex while under the influence of alcohol. The authors' identified five major unintended sexual events that occurred while the women were under the influence of alcohol: (1) sex with new partners, often strangers, (2) engaging in sexual activities that they would not normally engage in while sober, (3) unprotected sex, (4) sex that occurred when they had "blacked-out," and (5) rape. This study highlights the link between alcohol use and sexual victimization, and the need for interventions to reduce the emotional and physical harms resulting from the unintended consequences of alcohol use.
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STD App: Positive Singles
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PositiveSingles launched an app, similar to Tinder, that hopes to make dating easier for those living with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The app shares many of the same features as Tinder along with some unique upgrades. On Tinder, users are given one profile at a time. However, on PositiveSingles users are able to view two profiles at the same time. The app also includes user-created blogs and a chat room. The blogs enable users to share their thoughts on a variety of topics, including, life stories of living with an STD, experiences of dating with STDs and more. The app is currently available in the iTunes Store and Google Play Store.
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