[Systematic home screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infections of asymptomatic men and women in family practice by means of mail-in urine samples].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and determinants of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections among asymptomatic men and women in general practice. To determine participation rates in a systematic screening programme in general practice, using home obtained mailed urine samples.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
In 15 general practices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a sample of 11,005 persons (5541 women and 5464 men), aged 15-40 were invited to send in a urine sample and a completed questionnaire by mail. The urine samples were tested using the ligase chain reaction for DNA amplification. Patients diagnosed with CT were treated and partner notification was performed.


RESULTS
33% of invited males (1809/5464) and 50% of females (2751/5541) sent in the study material. Older patients participated more frequently than younger patients. Participation rates among persons with a Dutch background were higher than rates among persons from other ethnic groups. In 42 men and 79 women a CT infection was identified (2.3% and 2.9% respectively). Infections were more prevalent in patients from Surinam and the Dutch Antilles and in the age category 21-25 years. Type of health insurance as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status was not an indicator of infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The participation in this systematic screening using mail-sent urine samples was 33% in men and 50% in women. The CT prevalences among asymptomatic men and women were 2.3% and 2.9% respectively.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013532:Suriname / Q000208:ethnology