Postal testing kits for Chlamydia screening
K. Allison, K. Carrick-Anderson, H. Clery, L. McKay, G. Scott
Healthy Respect GUM, Lauriston Building (Level 1), Lauriston Place,
Edinburgh, EH3 9HA, Scotland
Objectives: Chlamydia is the most common treatable sexually
transmitted infection (STI) in Scotland, yet most cases of infection remain
undiagnosed and therefore untreated. As part of the Healthy Respect
demonstration project funded by the Scottish Executive, we set out to increase
availability of Chlamydia testing, with the aims of raising awareness, exploring
the true extent of Chlamydia in the community, and especially trying to persuade
men to share responsibility for sexual health.
Methods: Although we carried out a number of testing initiatives, the
crucial development was a postal testing kit for Chlamydia, which we made
available in a variety of settings throughout Lothian. Young people picked up a
free kit and sent away a urine sample in the pre-paid envelope having completed
a lab form. They had a choice of four options on how to receive their results;
they phone us, we phone them, we send an e-mail or we send a letter. All
asymptomatic clients were treated by Healthy Respect nurses using a Patient
Group Direction (PGD) and anybody who fell out-with the PGD were referred to a
GUM doctor.
Results: 10,000 kits were distributed over a two year period and over
2,300 (23%) were returned. 24.5% were from males and 75.5% were from females.
The overall prevalence was 8.5 % (males–9.8%; females–8.1%). Within our
target population of 13– 25 year old the prevalence was significantly higher
at 13.2% (males–12%; females–13.6%). 97% of positive patients were
successfully treated, of whom only 7 fell out-with the PGD and had to be
referred to medical staff.
Discussion: This project has been successfully run by nurses with very
little medical supervision. The hypothesis that ‘1 in 10 young people has
Chlamydia’ would seem to be confirmed. Postal testing kits offer an additional
effective route to Chlamydia testing, especially for men.
