418. Testing and Positivity Rates for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in a Large Federally Qualified Health Center System

BACKGROUND: Gonorrhea (GC) and Chlamydia (CT) are the most reported sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Little is known about testing and positivity rates for GC/CT in clinical practice, particularly for male patients. In this study, we analyzed rates of GC/CT testing and positivity among 11–24 years old patients presenting to a system of federally qualified health centers (FQHC). METHODS: This retrospective data review was conducted at Denver Health (DH) in Denver, CO. Data were abstracted for 11–24 years old who were seen at least once at a DH FQHC in 2018. Abstracted data included patient age, gender, clinic location, and testing for GC/CT. The percentage of patients tested ≥1 time within the preceding year and the percentage of tested patients that were positive for GC and/or CT ≥1 time were calculated along with Wald 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In total, 34,416 unique patients were included. GC/CT testing was completed for 7.3% (95% CI: 6.8%, 7.6%) of 11–15 years old, 30.6% (95% CI: 29.5%, 31.6%) of 16–18 years old, and 45.6% (95% CI: 44.8%, 46.4%) of 19–24 years old. Rates of testing varied by gender and age and were lowest among males and younger patients (Figure 1). Of patients tested, 11.4% (95% CI: 10.7%, 12.1%) of females and 9.1% (95% CI: 7.8%, 10.4%) of males were positive for CT and 1.7% (95% CI: 1.4%, 2.0%) of females and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.6%, 2.9%) of males were positive for GC (Figure 2). Though less likely to be tested than older patients, females 11–15 years old had the highest rates of GC (2.1%; 95% CI: 1.2%, 3.0%) and the second highest rate of CT (13.5%; 95% CI: 11.3%, 15.6%) among females tested. CONCLUSION: Despite efforts to improve GC/CT screening, less than 50% of 11–24 years old patients were tested within the prior year. Rates of GC/CT were higher than previously reported, particularly for females less than 16 years old. Male patients were less likely to be tested; however, the males who were tested had higher GC positivity rates and only slightly lower rates of CT than females who were tested. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to reduce GC/CT among 11–24 years old are critically needed. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.