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Updated Pap test guidelines result in decreased rate of STI screenings

A 50% decrease in screenings for chlamydia and gonorrhea was seen among women in Ontario, Canada following the release of new guidelines for cervical cancer screening in primary care settings, according to recently published data.

The updated guidelines recommend that initial cervical cancer screenings begin after age 21 years and continue every 3 years until age 70, according to the researchers. 

“Historically, we know that Pap tests and STI screenings are linked because they’re often performed at the same time. Now that the Ontario guidelines delay cervical cancer screening until age 21 and also recommend less frequent intervals, we found that women weren’t visiting family physicians as often for Pap tests, causing a drop in STI screenings as well,” Tali Bogler, MD, CCFP, lecturer in the department of family and community medicine, University of Toronto, said in a press release.

To assess how rates of STI screenings have been affected by the 2012 updated cervical cancer screening guidelines, Bogler and colleagues analyzed patient charts before and after the updated guidelines were released. Participants included women aged 19 to 25 years who visited a physician at least once within the 12 months before or after the guideline release. 

Results demonstrated that at 6 months postrelease, 20% of participants received STI screening for gonorrhea or chlamydia compared with 40% prior to the release of the guidelines (P = .003).

Following the update, women were also significantly less likely to be screening for syphilis, hepatitis C and HIV, compared with prior to the release of the guidelines. 

The researchers noted that noninvasive methods, such as self-administered vaginal swabs, could be administered within a variety of locations to ensure that women are being tested, and subsequently treated, for STIs. 

“Primary care providers must explore other opportunities to discuss sexual health with their female patients and screen for STIs in at-risk women. Self-administered swabs and urine tests are highly accurate for detecting STIs and can be easily extended into community settings,” Bolger said in the release. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.