Exploring Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Dual Therapy in Gonorrhea Treatment: A Retrospective Study

Background: Gonorrhea infection (GO) has a high prevalence in Indonesia, making it a significant public health concern. Effective treatment is crucial in controlling GO. However, the development of resistance has limited treatment options. Current guidelines recommend dual therapy as a syndromic approach. Treatment failures often result from a reinfection due to the barriers to therapy with sexual partners or engaging in sexual activity with newly infected partners. To prevent resistance and control its spread, transmission needs to be minimized. Various factors are associated with recovery as part of a comprehensive resistance control strategy, including appropriate medication, therapy adherence, sexual abstinence during treatment, and regular monitoring. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective cross-sectional design, analyzing medical records of Gonorrhea patients from the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Outpatient Clinic, Dermatology, and Venereology Department, Dr. Soetomo Public Academic Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, between 2017 and 2021. Results: Out of 109 GO patients, 64 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed a significant association between dual therapy cure for Gonorrhea and sexual abstinence (p-value = 0.001 <0.05). Patients who practiced sexual abstinence during therapy were 26 times more likely to achieve recovery compared to those who did not practice abstinence (95% CI = 3.9-170). Conclusion: Sexual abstinence during therapy emerged as a significant factor associated with cures in GO patients. Emphasizing education on sexual abstinence during therapy is crucial to avoid the "ping-pong" phenomenon of reinfection.