Chlamydia testing still being undertaken in a targeted approach

January 01, 0001

Chlamydia testing still being undertaken in a targeted approach

The aim of this study was to identify demographic patterns for chlamydia testing rates on reported general practice (GP) visits and notification rates in residents of Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS), rural and remote areas of New South Wales, Australia for the period June 2004-July 2008.

While chlamydia testing and notification rates increased over the review period, the percentage of chlamydia tests performed remained low. There was a greater increase in testing rates among women than men, and the highest were among women aged 15-24. Chlamydia notification rates increased across all age groups and were greater in women aged 15-24 than men of the same age group.

The researchers concluded: "The low proportion of tests performed to presentations (in conjunction with the high proportion of notifications to tests performed) reflects that chlamydia testing among providers is still being undertaken in a targeted approach rather than from a population-focused screening perspective. Further work with GPs is required to improve chlamydia screening rates, and ensure practice is consistent with national guidelines."

Although an Australian study, it does show that GP’s actions and guidelines are not always in sync.


For the full abstract, click here.

Australian Journal of Rural Health 18(4):159-165, 2 August 2010 © 2010 National Rural Health Alliance Inc
Genital chlamydia in southern New South Wales: An ecological analysis of testing and notification patterns 2004-2008. Roderick Reynolds and Tracey Oakman. Correspondence to Tracey Oakman: [email protected]

Category: HSR. Health Services Research. Keywords: Chlamydia, demographics, prevalence, screening, STI strategy, descriptive analysis, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 27 August 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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