Screening for chlamydia trachomatis: barriers for homeless young people.
OBJECTIVE
The study explored homeless young people's knowledge and attitudes of Chlamydia trachomatis (Chlamydia) and its screening.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews using focus groups.


METHODS
An inner city clinic for homeless young people.


METHODS
Homeless young people aged 16 -26 years.


RESULTS
Perceptions of Chlamydia and its screening.


RESULTS
19 males and 6 females aged 16-26 years participated. Content analysis confirmed a lack of knowledge, prior education and misinformation about Chlamydia and barriers to being screened. Ideas for informing young people about Chlamydia included advertising on billboards, in free newspapers, and improved school sex education programs.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeless young people have poor knowledge of Chlamydia and its screening and barriers to the screening process. Culturally-specific education and health promotion programs and services are needed.
Henning
Dorothy
D
Young People's Health Service, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. dot.henning@rch.org.au
Alice
Ryan
R
Sanci
Lena
L
Dunning
Trisha
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D018453:Homeless Youth; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care