[Increasing incidence of Chlamydia infections in Sweden. Shortcomings in primary health care management].
The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Sweden is increasing. The primary health care encounters many of the patients with C trachomatis infections. The aim of this study was firstly to examine if the primary health care met the requirements of the Swedish STD legislation and secondly to find out why the testing was done. A total of 44 case-books of patients tested positive for C trachomatis in Orebro county were studied. Contact tracing was ignored in a fourth of the patients identified as contacts. In four cases partners received treatment without testing. Not even half of the patients were examined after treatment as required. Symptoms were the most common reason for testing. Dysuria was the predominant symptom. Almost half of all the cases in women but none in men were diagnosed by screening or voluntary testing in asymptomatic patients. In to many cases the primary health care did not meet the requirements of the STD Act. This must improve. Generous testing of asymptomatic women is supported by this study. Chlamydia trachomatis infection should be considered in patients with cystitis. Voluntary testing in men should be encouraged.
Landström
Fredrik
F
fredrik.landstrom@spray.se
Fredlund
Hans
H
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology