[Detection of Chlamydia infection of an Internet-based commercial product].
BACKGROUND
Free testing, treatment and extensive information campaigns are used to monitor and control the incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Norway. Most programmes have 15 to 25 year-olds as their target, because of the high incidence of infection in this age group. The potential role and effect of internet-based commercial testing has not previously been assessed in this context.


METHODS
1458 urine samples, taken by the patients themselves, were collected from March 2005 to September 2006 according to instructions given on the commercial web site www.testselv.no, and sent to a given address for analysis. Sex, age distribution and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection were assessed and all costs were paid by the patient buying the service.


CONCLUSIONS
More men than women used this service, in contrast to the sex distribution seen in public screening programs. The mean age was 28 years, the 25 % percentile and the 75 % percentile was 24 and 32 years, respectively. The prevalence of infection was high; 7.5 % in women and 12.5 % in men. Our study identifies a demographic group with a high incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection that has not been previously been targeted by public screening programmes.
Reinton
Nils
N
Fürst Medisinsk Laboratorium, Søren Bulls vei 25, 1051 Oslo. nreinton@furst.no
Ødegaard
Ole Rasmus
OR
Helgheim
Asle
A
Moghaddam
Amir
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012648:Self Care; D013048:Specimen Handling
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic