Chlamydia screening pilot
highlights need for routine screening
1 May 2006
A Chlamydia screening pilot carried out in three Wellington Family Planning Clinics has given a clear message – start routine screening for this silent epidemic.
Family Planning Association Deputy Executive Director, Jackie Edmond said the pilot study has shown people attending these clinics were open to being routinely offered this test - especially in light of its prevalence. The study confirmed that eight percent of the people tested, had Chlamydia.
The purpose of the pilot was to determine if it was feasible, practical and acceptable to clients to routinely screen for Chlamydia and on all counts the answer was yes, Ms Edmond said.
“The problem with this infection is that it often doesn’t have any symptoms so, people may not realise they have Chlamydia. If it isn’t treated, it can have devastating health consequences like not being able to have children, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain. Chlamydia can also cause eye and lung infections in infants born to women who have the STI.”
Ms Edmond said Chlamydia is easily tested for and simply treated. The test involves a urine sample and the treatment is two tablets taken at once.
The pilot study was carried out over a six month period and all sexually active under 25-year olds, were offered Chlamydia testing. From a total of 4674 invitations 2559 (55 percent) screening tests were carried out. (The most common reason for not being tested was having passed urine within the last hour.)
Positive Chlamydia tests were detected in 212 (8 percent) of the 2533 valid urine samples.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in New Zealand and understanding the extent of the infection and subsequent treatment programmes is part of reducing the incidence of Chlamydia. Routine testing is a key component of this and so too is encouraging condom use, Ms Edmond said.
The Chlamydia Screening Project was funded by Family Planning, the Ministry of Health, Wellington Medical Research Foundation and Roche Diagnostics and the results are being released at an information evening at Family Planning’s National Office in Wellington tonight (1 May 2006).
For more information contact:
Deputy Executive Director, Jackie Edmond Ph 03 353 7024
or Communications Coordinator, Jan Keir-Smith Phone 0275 915 107
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