title: Measuring Health and Quality of Life for Women Undergoing Testing and Screening for Chlamydia: A Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most economic evaluations of interventions to prevent or control curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, have focused on the longer-term health impacts avoided. However, there is a range of qualitative evidence suggesting that those who think that they might have an STI and/or undergo testing can experience impacts on their quality of life (QoL) at the testing and diagnosis stage. A systematic review was undertaken to identify and evaluate studies that have measured QoL and sexual health for women undergoing testing and screening for chlamydia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was conducted, with searches of 5 electronic databases up to the end of August 2013. Data on study characteristics, methods, and results were extracted using a standard template, and a narrative synthesis was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies measuring QoL and sexual health were included. The included studies measured a variety of aspects of QoL and sexual health, with a focus on psychosocial well-being. A range of validated tools were used to measure health and QoL, and "bespoke" questions were also developed. Few significant differences were found with comparator groups using generic instruments, but some impacts were found using bespoke questions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although researchers have begun to examine the relationships between QoL and sexual health, there are limitations associated with the evidence available. There is, thus, a need for further research exploring sexual health and QoL for patients undergoing testing and screening for curable STIs, with a focus on analyzing the most appropriate methodological approaches in this context.
authors: From the Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
authors: Louise J
authors: LJ
authors: Jackson
authors: Tracy E
authors: TE
authors: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*