STI screening recommendations in pregnant and post-partum women
STI testing guidelines for asymptomatic* pregnant and post-partum women have recently changed in WA to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes in both the mother and neonate.
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Women living in WA* |
Women living in regions affected by the ongoing outbreak in Aboriginal communities, i.e. Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields* |
At booking visit |
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (SOLVS + if history of unprotected oral or anal sex, throat and ano-rectal swab)
- Hepatitis B and C serology
- Syphilis serology
- HIV serology
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- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (SOLVS + if history of unprotected oral or anal sex, throat and ano-rectal swab)
- Hepatitis B and C serology
- Syphilis serology
- HIV serology
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28 weeks^ |
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- Syphilis serology
- HIV serology
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36 weeks or at time of any preterm birth
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- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (SOLVS + if history of unprotected oral or anal sex, throat and ano-rectal swab)
- Syphilis serology
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Delivery |
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6 weeks post-partum^ |
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*For symptomatic patients, refer to sexually transmitted syndromes
**More frequent testing may be indicated for pregnant/ birthing women on a case-by-case basis if they have STI symptoms, unsafe sex and/or partner change in between these testing intervals. STI risk is higher in women to whom one or more of the following risk factors apply
- one or more new sexual partners after her first syphilis blood test in pregnancy
- a sexual partner who is a man who has sex with men
- sexual partners who have had one or more new sexual partners after the woman became pregnant
- infectious syphilis in a previous pregnancy
- a sexually transmitted infection during the current pregnancy or within the previous 12 months
- has used methamphetamine and/ or injected drugs in the previous 12 months
- is a person who is from, or has had sex with someone who is from a high prevalence country
- is a person experiencing homelessness
- is an Aboriginal person
- is from a geographical area with high prevalence of one or more of the above risk factors
^ The mental health assessment (including screening for drug and alcohol use and domestic violence) conducted at 28 weeks as part of MBS items 16590 and 16590 and at 6 weeks post-partum as part of MBS item number 16407 can be used to identify women at risk of STIs.
Last reviewed: 24-03-2021