Use your browser's BACK button to return to your page of origin.
Sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy: screening,
diagnostic, and treatment practices among prenatal care providers in
Georgia.
Southern Medical Journal 2001;94(1):47-53.
Weisboad JS, Koumans EH, Toomey KE, Crayson C, Markowitz LE.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) during pregnancy are associated
with adverse outcomes. We conducted a prenatal care provider survey to determine
STD screening, diagnosis, and treatment practices. METHODS: Standard questionnaires
were mailed to Georgia-licensed obstetrician/ gynecologists, family practitioners,
and nurse-midwives (N = 3,082) in 1998. RESULTS: Of the 1,300 care providers
who returned the survey, 565 (44%) provided prenatal care, 390 (57%) were male,
and 396 (70%) were obstetrician/ gynecologists. Overall, 553 prenatal care
providers (98%) reported screening all pregnant patients for syphilis, 551
(98%) for hepatitis B, 501 (89%) for trichomonas, 474 (84%) for human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), 401 (71%) for gonorrhea, 403 (71%) for chlamydia, 475 (84%) for
group B streptococci, and 130 (23%) for bacterial vaginosis (BV) (high risk).
Less than 10% used amplification tests for chlamydia or gonorrhea. Most providers
used appropriate regimens to treat STD in pregnant women. A written office
policy on testing for BV or HIV was associated with increased screening. CONCLUSIONS:
Provider education is needed about diagnosis and treatment of STD during pregnancy.