Shared care in the management of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of a health adviser in genitourinary medicine as a training and support resource on the management of Chlamydia trachomatis in a large inner city health centre.


METHODS
A large, inner city health centre was selected at random for the intervention, with another selected as control. The health adviser offered support and training in the management of C trachomatis to clinical staff in the intervention health centre for 6 months. Data on testing activity were collected over the period of the intervention and during the equivalent period in the previous year. Data on partner notification activities were collected from case notes.


RESULTS
The research intervention was effective in increasing C trachomatis testing activity. However, the majority of tests were offered to women over 20 years of age and no increase in the proportion of positive results was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention was effective in increasing C trachomatis testing activity, but did not improve the overall detection rate. Health centre staff accommodated opportunistic testing for C trachomatis into existing healthcare practices, as opposed to introducing new screening systems designed to reach the target population.
Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. jenny@mdghgumed.demon.co.uk
B
B
Armstrong
S
S
Kinn
A
A
Scoular
P
P
Wilson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014504:Urban Health