title: Large increase in opportunistic testing for chlamydia during a pilot project in a primary health organisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Auckland chlamydia pilot project was one of three funded by the Ministry of Health to trial implementation of the 2008 Chlamydia Management Guidelines. Chlamydia is the most commonly notified sexually transmitted infection in New Zealand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To increase opportunistic testing in under-25-year-olds and to improve documentation of partner notification in primary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A four-month pilot was initiated in Total Healthcare Otara using a nurse-led approach. Laboratory testing data was analysed to assess whether the pilot had any impact on chlamydia testing volumes in the target age-group. Data entered in the practice management system was used to assess follow-up and management of chlamydia cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the pilot there was a 300% increase in the number of chlamydia tests in the target age group from 812 to 2410 and the number of male tests increased by nearly 500%. Twenty-four percent of people tested were positive for chlamydia, with no significant difference in prevalence by ethnicity. The pilot resulted in better documentation of patient follow-up in the patient management system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a large increase in chlamydia testing during the pilot with a high prevalence found in the population tested. Chlamydia remains an important health problem in New Zealand. The cost benefit of increased chlamydia screening at a population level has yet to be established.
authors.affiliation: Auckland Sexual Health Service, Building 7, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Greenlane West, PB 92024, Auckland, New Zealand. SunitaA@adhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azariah
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKernon
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Werder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009726:Nurses / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult