Subsequent sexually transmitted infections among adolescent women with genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Trichomonas vaginalis

Objective: To identify factors associated with subsequent sexually transmit ted infection (STI) (within 1 year of initial infection) due to Chlamydia t rachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Trichomonas vaginalis. Design: Prospective cohort study, Setting: A sexually transmitted diseases clinic and four community-based pr imary care clinics for adolescents, Participants: Female patients (ages 15 to 19 years) with initial diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomonas. Main Outcome Measures: Subsequent infection by chlamydia, gonorrhea, or tri chomonas, Results: More than 40% of subjects were subsequently infected by at least o ne STI, Reinfection was common, but infections with sexually transmitted or ganisms other than the initial infecting organism were also common. Predict ors of subsequent infection were black race, gonorrhea as the initial infec tion, two or more sex partners in the previous 3 months, and inconsistent c ondom use. Conclusions: Subsequent STI frequently follow an initial STI, but there is substantial variation in the causal organism. These data suggest the import ance of comprehensive STI prevention programs for adolescents rather than o rganism-specific interventions.