2215. Pre-pregnancy STI Counseling and HIV Testing Among Married Women: PRAMS 2016-2019


 
 
 Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are one of the most reported and curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US, but rates continue to rise. STI during pregnancy can lead to perinatal infections. The best time to address this is at pre-conception. This study aims to examine health care visit practices among women before pregnancy and compare pre-pregnancy STI counseling and HIV testing rates among married women.
 
 
 
 We utilized the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) 2016-2019, a population-based survey of postpartum women. Mothers self-reported if any health care worker talked to them about STIs or tested for HIV during any health care visit in the 12 months before pregnancy. Marital status was obtained from birth certificate records. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, insurance, income, and previous live birth.
 
 
 
 Of the the162,558 surveyed women, only 66.1% had any health care visit within 12 months pre-pregnancy (Figure1). Among those with a health care visit and STI screening response (n=104,256), approximately 70% of women reported never receiving pre-pregnancy STI counseling or HIV testing. Puerto Rico and D.C. had the highest pre-pregnancy screening rates while Utah had the lowest (Figure 2). Married women were less likely to receive pre-pregnancy STI counseling (OR 0.6: 95% CI 0.56, 0.64) or HIV testing (OR 0.65: 95% CI 0.61, 0.69) compared to unmarried women (Figure 3). Other risk factors for missing pre-pregnancy STI screening were older age, having more education, private insurance, higher income, and previous live birth. Black and Hispanic women were 2-3 times more likely to receive STI screening compared to White women. Figure 1:Any health care visit and visit type within 12 months before pregnancy (n=162,558)Figure 2:Pre-pregnancy STI counseling and HIV testing across 43 states, DC, NYC, and PR (n=104,256)Figure 3:Adjusted odds of receiving pre-pregnancy STI counseling and HIV testing among recent mothers, PRAMS 2016-2019 (n=104,256)
 
 
 
 Married women were less likely to receive pre-pregnancy STI counseling and HIV testing. Our study highlights the lack of preconception care among women who recently gave birth. Marital status, demographics, and socioeconomic factors continue to affect a woman’s likelihood of receiving STI screening. Risk-based, selective STI screening creates gaps and missed opportunities to address STIs before pregnancy. Universal screening should be adopted for all women regardless of their preconceived risk or assumptions.
 
 
 
 All Authors: No reported disclosures.
