title: Screening for Chlamydia is acceptable and feasible during Cervical Screening in General Practice.
abstract: The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) & Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are rising in Ireland. Both are often undiagnosed and may cause infertility amongst other complications. CT/NG screening is not routinely offered during cervical cancer screening. This study aimed to ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of screening for CT/NG at time of smear and to measure the diagnostic yield. Screening was offered to women aged 25-40 years attending four participating general practices as part of Cervical Check. A retrospective review of the three months preceding the study period, indicated that out of 138 smears, CT/NG testing was performed in 10 (7%) of cases. 236 (93%) patients consented to screening for CT/NG. The detection rate for Chlamydia was 6 (2.4%), with no positive results for NG. Feedback from patients was positive. Interestingly, 42 (18%) of participants who completed the questionnaire believed STI screening was already part of the routine smear.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunphy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marron
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fitzsimmons
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears