Implementation of chlamydia screening in a general practice setting: a 6-month pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether screening for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection could be undertaken in the context of a smear clinic or other sexual health consultation in general practice.


METHODS
A prospective, opportunistic, cohort study was undertaken in a general practice setting. The participants were asymptomatic women aged 16-24 years and men aged 16-34 years who were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis by testing endocervical swabs or first-voided urine samples. The main outcome measure was the uptake of the screening offer and the presence or absence of chlamydia infection as indicated by the test result.


RESULTS
A total of 115 patients (109 women and six men) were offered screening. Eighty-one (70%) patients accepted, with five positive results, giving an overall prevalence of 6.2% (5/81, 95% CI 1-11%). Of those offered screening when having a smear, 8.3% (3/36, 95% CI 0-17%) were positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening for chlamydia can be undertaken in the context of existing services offered in general practice (e.g. a smear clinic or consultation) where contraception/sexual health is discussed.
Harris
David I
DI
Killamarsh Medical Centre, Sheffield, UK. david.harris@nhs.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology