title: Impact of National Chlamydia Screening Programme on sexual health of children under the age of 16 years.
abstract: The objectives of the study were to investigate the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), uptake of full STI screening and contraceptive use during pre- and post National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) periods and to determine the prevalence of sexual abuse/assault. The method used was a retrospective case notes audit of children aged <16 years. STIs were found in 20% (n = 264) of children; 10% had genital chlamydia. 157 (59%) of 264 children had an assessment for non-consensual sexual activity; of those, 34% had a history of past or continuing sexual abuse/assault. An uptake of 'full STI screening' and contraceptive use were similar in both pre- and post-NCSP periods. Overall STIs and chlamydia rates were higher during post-NCSP period. In conclusion, NCSP has not yet made any significant impact on sexual health of under-16-year-olds and the prevalence of past or ongoing sexual abuse/assault was high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton, Bedfordshire, UK. mokawsar@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawsar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D047568:Unsafe Sex