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Chlamydia should be regarded as an organism affecting the paediatric population
A team-orientated approach in California increased the Chlamydia screening rate in sexually-active 14-18 year olds from 5% to 65%. Urine-based tests were used instead of pelvic examinations. In the USA Chlamydia is the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted disease, affecting 15% of young women and costing $4bn to treat each year. Untreated, the condition is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and increased risk of HIV infection. Undetected infections are responsible for the vast majority of tubal infertility cases in the US. Screening rates are low because symptoms are not obvious, health care providers are uncomfortable in asking adolescents about sexual health/activity, and young women are averse to pelvic examinations. Given that the age of onset of sexual activity falls within the ambit of paediatrics and paediatricians, and recognising the high rates of HIV/AIDS and pelvic inflammatory disease, consideration should probably be given to including questions about sexual activity and to screening when adolescents present to primary care facilities and providers. Read more: JAMA 2002;288:2846-52 Research Activities of the AHRQ;Feb 2003;No.70 |