Testing for chlamydial and gonorrheal infections outside of clinic settings: a summary of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) provide new technology that makes it feasible to initiate testing for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infection outside of clinic settings.


METHODS
We summarized the English-language literature describing chlamydial or gonorrheal testing with self-collection of urine or vaginal specimens outside of clinic settings in developed countries published between January 1995 and August 2002.


RESULTS
Testing for CT or GC infection has been initiated in school, community, and home settings. Purposes include screening of asymptomatic populations, improving quality of clinic-based health care, and research. Challenges include defining and reaching target populations, overcoming logistic issues, developing communication and counseling strategies, and determining whether alternative testing strategies are effectively reducing infection rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of NAATs to detect CT and GC infection outside of clinic settings will undoubtedly continue. Future research should focus on how to best use this technology to reduce rates of infection.
Ford
Carol A
CA
Department of Medicine, Adolescent Medicine Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7220, USA. caf@med.unc.edu
Viadro
Claire I
CI
Miller
William C
WC
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000652:urine; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012574:Schools; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology