Community-based seek, test and treat intervention to reduce Chlamydia trachomatis among Black youth in New Orleans, Louisiana: an implementation study protocol
- 1Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- 2Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Department of Health Policy and Management, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Abstract
Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the USA with over 1.8 million cases each year. Ct can cause genital symptoms, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility and can amplify HIV risk. African Americans (AAs) are seven times more likely than White Americans to be infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening sexually active women under 25 years of age and men in high prevalence populations, yet many young people are not screened. We hypothesise that screening AA youth in the community will reduce Ct rates in the community in a feasible and cost-effective manner.
Methods and analysis: This implementation study will test 2322 AA youth aged 15–26 years in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, for genital and pharyngeal Ct and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), syphilis and HIV. Individuals who test positive for genital Ct, genital GC or pharyngeal Ct will be offered expedited index and partner treatment for themselves and up to five sexual partners. Those who test positive for HIV, syphilis or pharyngeal GC will be referred to partnering clinics for treatment. The study will include two visits: baseline for all and 3 month rescreening for those who tested positive for Ct or genital GC at baseline. Using Medicaid data, we will compare the rate of Ct among women in the intervention parish with those in control parishes over the study period. Secondary aims will examine feasibility of mailing home testing kits, uptake of partner treatment and cost-effectiveness. We will track how many participants accept testing, expedited treatment for themselves and their partners, peer referral and how much the programme costs using time motion analyses.
Ethics and dissemination: This protocol is approved by the Tulane University Institutional Review Board (2024-377 SPHTM). Informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) attestation will be obtained from participants. Findings will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals as well as disseminated to patients and study partners in communities of interest.
Trial registration number: NCT06428643.
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BibTeX
@article{kissinger2026communitybased,
title = {{Community-based seek, test and treat intervention to reduce Chlamydia trachomatis among Black youth in New Orleans, Louisiana: an implementation study protocol}},
author = {Patricia J Kissinger and Momi Sagoe and Akilesh Rahul Kandregula and Kristin Banek and Savannah Janelle Harris and Lily B Cooper and Charles Stoecker and Julie L Finger and Tina Simpson},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-125364},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-125364},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Community-based seek, test and treat intervention to reduce Chlamydia trachomatis among Black youth in New Orleans, Louisiana: an implementation study protocol
AU - Patricia J Kissinger
AU - Momi Sagoe
AU - Akilesh Rahul Kandregula
AU - Kristin Banek
AU - Savannah Janelle Harris
AU - Lily B Cooper
AU - Charles Stoecker
AU - Julie L Finger
AU - Tina Simpson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-125364
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-125364
AB - Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the USA with over 1.8 million cases each year. Ct can cause genital symptoms, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility and can amplify HIV risk. African Americans (AAs) are seven times more likely than White Americans to be infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening sexually active women under 25 years of age and men in high prevalence populations, yet many young people are not screened. We hypothesise that screening AA youth in the community will reduce Ct rates in the community in a feasible and cost-effective manner. Methods and analysis: This implementation study will test 2322 AA youth aged 15–26 years in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, for genital and pharyngeal Ct and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), syphilis and HIV. Individuals who test positive for genital Ct, genital GC or pharyngeal Ct will be offered expedited index and partner treatment for themselves and up to five sexual partners. Those who test positive for HIV, syphilis or pharyngeal GC will be referred to partnering clinics for treatment. The study will include two visits: baseline for all and 3 month rescreening for those who tested positive for Ct or genital GC at baseline. Using Medicaid data, we will compare the rate of Ct among women in the intervention parish with those in control parishes over the study period. Secondary aims will examine feasibility of mailing home testing kits, uptake of partner treatment and cost-effectiveness. We will track how many participants accept testing, expedited treatment for themselves and their partners, peer referral and how much the programme costs using time motion analyses. Ethics and dissemination: This protocol is approved by the Tulane University Institutional Review Board (2024-377 SPHTM). Informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) attestation will be obtained from participants. Findings will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals as well as disseminated to patients and study partners in communities of interest. Trial registration number: NCT06428643.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -