title: Chlamydia trachomatis related knowledge and practices in medical practioners--a survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlamydia trachomatis is a frequently encountered condition by general physicians, urologists and infectious diseases specialists. It can affect both genders and causes significant morbidity if not treated properly and promptly. In addition, it can cause ophthalmia neonatorum, which manifests as neonatal conjunctivitis in the newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data was collected from fourteen tertiary care hospitals in two provinces of Pakistan during the time period of four months (September-December 2013). Inclusion criteria included all medical practitioners working at those hospitals and there were no limitations of age and gender to participate. The participants were approached through email which included a self administered questionnaire. Written consent was obtained from the participants and the study was approved by the ethical committee of all selected hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 130 participants participated with a response rate of 65%. Females were 52.3% and males were 47.7%. In the study 17.7% of male and 29.4% of female participants proclaimed that they referred a patient to an infectious disease specialist in case the diagnosis of Chlamydia was dubious. 72.5% of the male and 55.8% of the female medical practitioners indicated that they yield detailed sexual history from the patients with Chlamydia. Regarding inquiring about the drugs history from the patient at risk of STDs, 22.6% male and 35.3% of female participants informed that they took a detailed drug history. Only 1.5% of the female medical practitioners notified Chlamydia to the partner of diseased patient themselves (provider referral). 24% male and 17.6% female participants had an understanding regarding the definite test of diagnosis for sexually transmitted Chlamydia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More sexual health skills development is required in medical practitioners working in Pakistan. The major deficient areas are sexual and drug history taking, management of sexually transmitted diseases and partner notification.
authors.forename: Shahkamal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.forename: Syed Imtiaz
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Farzeen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanwir
authors.forename: Taiba Yousuf
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Shamsi
authors.forename: Farrukh Rafiq
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Kelash
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D002983:Clinical Competence; D016358:Contact Tracing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D021841:Safe Sex; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers