Management of Chlamydia cases and their partners: results from a home-based screening program organized by municipal public health services with referral to regular health care.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the management of Chlamydia trachomatis cases and partners found in a systematic home-based chlamydia screening project in the Netherlands among 15- to 29-year-old women and men, organized by the Municipal Public Health Services (MHS).


METHODS
Infected participants (165/8339 = 2%) were referred to regular curative services. The treating physician provided feedback on treatment and partner notification.


RESULTS
Including the effect of a reminder, the treatment rate of all index cases was 91% (150/165); among persons with non-Dutch ethnicity, 81% (25/31). The majority of cases (82%) consulted the general practitioner for treatment as opposed to sexually transmitted disease/MHS clinics (18%). Eighty-five percent of cases were treated within 2 weeks. The confirmed treatment rate of partners in the last 6 months was 49% (86/176); 57% (81/141) for current versus 14% (5/35) for other partners. Patient referral was advised in an additional 18% (25/141) of current partners and in 9% (3/35) of other partners (potential treatment).


CONCLUSIONS
Home-based chlamydia screening and treatment through regular treatment facilities has proven to be effective in the Netherlands. The necessity of a reminder to increase treatment rate and the lower treatment rate in non-Dutch high-risk groups deserve attention. Low confirmed treatment rate of current partners carries the potential of reinfection, and patient-delivered treatment should be expanded.
Götz
Hannelore M
HM
Municipal Public Health Service, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. gotzh@ggd.rotterdam.nl
Hoebe
Christian J P A
CJ
Van Bergen
Jan E A M
JE
Veldhuijzen
Irene K
IK
Broer
Jan
J
De Groot
F
F
Verhooren
M J C
MJ
Van Schaik
D T
DT
Coenen
A J J
AJ
Richardus
Jan H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012747:Sexual Partners