title: Opportunistic testing for urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in south-western Switzerland, 2012: a feasibility study.
abstract: The feasibility of opportunistic screening of urogenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis was assessed in a cross-sectional study in 2012, in two cantons of south-western Switzerland: Vaud and Valais. Sexually active persons younger than 30 years, not tested for C. trachomatis in the last three months, were invited for free C. trachomatis testing by PCR in urine or self-applied vaginal swabs. Of 2,461 consenting participants, 1,899 (77%) were women and all but six (0.3%) submitted a sample. Forty-seven per cent of female and 25% of male participants were younger than 20 years. Overall, 134 (5.5%) of 2,455 tested participants had a positive result and were followed up. Seven per cent of all candidates for screening were not invited, 10% of invited candidates were not eligible, 15% of the eligible candidates declined participation, 5% of tested participants testing positive were not treated, 29% of those treated were not retested after six months and 9% of those retested were positive for C. trachomatis. Opportunistic C. trachomatis testing proved technically feasible and acceptable, at least if free of charge. Men and peripheral rural regions were more difficult to reach. Efforts to increase testing and decrease dropout at all stages of the screening procedure are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Institut Central (Hopital du Valais), Service des maladies infectieuses, Sion, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bally
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quach
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greub
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jaton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petignat
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ambord
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fellay
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masserey
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult