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Published:
Dec 22, 2005Article Details
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Main Article Content
Sexually transmitted infections - factors associated with quality of care among private general practitioners
Abstract
Methods: We analysed 1 194 records of patients attending 26 randomly selected GP practices in the first 3 months of 2000 and 2002, for 3 STI syndromes, namely urethral discharge, pelvic inflammatory disease and genital ulcers. We assessed adherence to nationally accepted STI treatment guidelines and analysed the influence of patient and practice-level variables on effectiveness of STI drug regimens and trends over time.
Results: After controlling for syndrome mix, district and time period, appropriate drug treatment for STIs was significantly associated with the client having medical aid (p<0.001), recent graduation as a medical practitioner (p<0.001) and male GP gender (p=0.007). Between 2000 and 2002, STI care improved for clients with medical aids but for not cash clients.
Conclusions: There was variation in the quality of prescribing for STIs among GPs and positive trends in this prescribing. There is a need for interventions that address the financial incentives that may hamper quality of STI care for cash clients.
South African Medical Journal Vol. 95(10) 2005: 782-785
