Performance Measure: Chlamydia Screening

National Quality Forum #: None

Description: Percentage of patients1 with a diagnosis of HIV at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) who had a test for chlamydia within the measurement year

Numerator: Number of patients with a diagnosis of HIV who had a test for chlamydia

Denominator: Number of patients with a diagnosis of HIV who meet both criteria:

  • Were either: a) newly enrolled in care; b) sexually active; or c) had an STI within the last 12 months
  • Had a medical visit with a provider with prescribing privileges2 at least once in the measurement year

Patient Exclusions: Patients who were <18 years old3 and denied a history of sexual activity

Data Elements:

  1. Does the patient have a diagnosis of HIV? (Y/N)
    1. If yes, is the patient new to care, sexually active or had an STI within the last 12 months? (Y/N)
      1. If yes, was the patient tested for chlamydia during the measurement year? (Y/N)

***Consider analyzing data for disparities among youth, men who have sex with men, and uninsured patients.

National goals, target, or benchmarks for comparison

This HIV/AIDS Bureau measure aligns with the Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States (2021-2025) Core Indicator 5: Increase chlamydia screening in sexually active females aged 16–24 years by 13% by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

The HIV Quality Measures (HIVQM) Module is a tool within the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Services Report portal. It allows recipients to enter aggregate data specific to HRSA HAB Performance Measures. The HIVQM Module allows recipients to conduct point-in-time benchmarking across Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs that use the module.

Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Practice Guidelines

"All pregnant women aged <25 years as well as older women at increased risk for chlamydia (e.g., those aged ≥25 years who have a new sex partner, more than one sex partner, a sex partner with concurrent partners, or a sex partner who has an STI) should be routinely screened for Chlamydia trachomatis at the first prenatal visit (149). Pregnant women who remain at increased risk for chlamydial infection also should be retested during the third trimester to prevent maternal postnatal complications and chlamydial infection in the neonate. Pregnant women identified as having chlamydia should be treated immediately and have a test of cure to document chlamydial eradication by a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) 4 weeks after treatment. All persons diagnosed with a chlamydial infection should be rescreened 3 months after treatment."4

Use in other federal programs

References/notes

1 "Patients" includes all clients aged 13 years and older.

2 A "provider with prescribing privileges" is a health care professional certified in his/her jurisdiction to prescribe medications.

3 Onset of sexual activity is not reliably reported or recorded. The lower age bracket of 18 years is selected for performance measurement purposes only and should not be interpreted as a recommendation about the age at which screening should begin to occur.

4 Workowski, KA, Bachmann, LH, Chan, PA, Johnston CM, Muzny, CA, Park, I, Reno, H, Zenilman, JA, & Bolan, GA. "Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021." MMWR Recomm Rep 2021; 70(No. RR-4): 12. Available online. Accessed January 2022.

Date Last Reviewed: