Background Management of cervicitis and abnormal vaginal discharge in Jamaica is based on the syndromic approach recommended by the WHO. To evaluate current algorithms for treatment of gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis, we conducted laboratory testing with vaginal specimens from women presenting with cervicitis or vaginitis syndromes at a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Kingston and at follow-up to assess cure rates for these infections.

Methods From August, 2010 through January, 2011, vaginal swab specimens were obtained from 258 women >18 years old during a routine clinical examination prior to syndromic treatment according to local guidelines. Treatment for gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis was prescribed for women with cervicitis. Treatment for trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis was prescribed for women with abnormal vaginal discharge. Women returned the next week for follow-up assessment and specimen collection. Specimens were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) using APTIMA Combo2 and for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using APTIMA analyte-specific reagents. All baseline specimens were tested. Follow-up specimens from women with a positive baseline test or who remained symptomatic were also tested. Patients with a positive follow-up test were contacted and instructed to return to the clinic for additional treatment. Cure was defined as a positive baseline test and a negative follow-up test.

Results Baseline prevalence of infection with NG was 11.7%, CT was 20.7%, TV was 25.6%. At least one of these STIs was detected by laboratory testing in 40.7% of women. Co-infections were common. Women with TV were more likely to have NG or CT than women without TV (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.8). STI testing at follow-up indicated cure rates of 77.3% for NG, 43.5% for CT and 47.1% for TV infections. CT incidence at follow-up was 5.9%; no incident NG or TV infections were detected.

Conclusions With syndromic management, just over half of the STIs in women that were detected by laboratory testing at baseline were cured at follow-up. Reinfection, incorrect or inadequate treatment, failure to comply with treatment instructions or treatment failure could potentially explain prevalent STIs that were detected at follow-up. The low cure rates for chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis are cause for concern.