Audit of chlamydia testing in a female sex worker population in Glasgow,
Scotland
K. Johnston, S. V. Carr
The Sandyford Initiative, Glasgow, UK
Objective: To assess the prevalence of chlamydia in female sex workers
in a Scottish industrial city. Set in Base 75, (a drop-in service for female sex
workers in Glasgow), which is part of the Sandyford Initiative for sexual health
in the city.
Method: Retrospective audit of chlamydia testing over a seventh month
period was undertaken. All swabs and urinary tests taken over a seven month
period were included. Note was taken of sociodemographic and drug using details,
chlamydia test result, whether or not symptomatic, and any antibiotic use over
the previous three months. Results were collated and analysed.
Results: Preliminary results show that 317 women used the service
during that period. 156 tests were done, 14 were positive (8.9%) and 3
inconclusive (1.9%). Of the first batch of 73 results analysed, 40 (54%) were
injecting drug users and 3 (4.1%) were non injecting users, all of whom were
street workers. 17 (23%) had had antibiotics in the last 3 months.
Conclusion: Chlamydia prevalence was lower than some reported rates in
other GUM and FP settings in the UK. One possible explanation could be that high
condom use is generally reported in this group. About 25% of the women however
had antibiotics in the previous three months for unrelated conditions which
could have opportunistically treated undetected chlamydia infection in these
women. These findings show it is vital that continued accessible service
provision for this high risk group with multiple sexual contacts must be
maintained.
