Willingness of young men and women to be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in three non-medical settings in Glasgow, UK

Lorimer, K., Reid, M.E. and Hart, G. (2009) Willingness of young men and women to be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in three non-medical settings in Glasgow, UK. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 35(1), pp. 21-26. (doi: 10.1783/147118909787072252)

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the willingness of young men and women to be tested for <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> in three non-medical settings. Methods: Men and women aged between 16-24 years were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire and provide a urine sample in non-medical settings: 'Education' (one further education college), 'Health and Fitness' (three local authority leisure centres), and 'Workplace' (two call centres). Results: Eighty four per cent of age eligible users approached in the settings agreed to complete a questionnaire (n=363). Among the sexually active people (n=346), the uptake of screening varied by setting (Education 19.1% (22/115), Health and Fitness 48.8% (62/127), Workplace 27.8% (29/104); P < 0.001). Health and fitness settings (OR 4.08; 95% CI 2.04 – 8.14) and perception of being at risk of having chlamydia (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.33 – 4.58) were strong predictors of providing a urine sample. In each setting, women were less likely than men to provide a urine sample (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.32 – 1.06). All five positive cases (4.4% (4.9 percent in men; 3.8% in women)) were contacted with their results by a Health Adviser and invited to be treated at a local GUM clinic. Conclusions: Men were more willing than women to be tested for C. trachomatis in these non-medical settings, but uptake varied by setting. Thus, increasing opportunities for the take-up of testing in particular non-medical settings might be a more effective approach to including young men who are not reached by clinic control efforts.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Chlamydia, non-medical, screening, sexually transmitted infections, STI
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hart, Prof Graham and Reid, Professor Margaret
• Authors: Lorimer, K., Reid, M.E., and Hart, G.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
• ISSN: 1471-1893