Evaluation of Chlamydia Screening in Different Clinical Locations in Lambeth, London, UK

Background: Screening for Chlamydia has moved increasingly from secondary care to primary care. Different clinical facilities have been offering Chlamydia Screening.

Objectives: To demonstrate that screening for Chlamydia in the community it feasible and to identify which facility has the most impact.

Methods: Retrospective study. In June 2009 Chlamydia Screening in Lambeth, England, UK was in its fourth year. In order to provide choice for patients, different clinical set ups have been offered. We looked back at all screens performed in Lambeth between 2005 and 2009. We used lab reports from the two main hospitals (Kings College Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital). We excluded screens offered in Secondary care setting like Genito-urinary clinics

Results: From 1/4/2005 to 31/03/2009, 22.927 screens for Chlamydia were received in the two laboratories. Year one year there has been an increase in screening numbers . General Practitioners screened 11.386 patients (49.6%), Brook Clinic 5075 (22.23%). Community and reproductive sexual health clinics 4357 (19%), Outreach 1431 (6.24%), Pharmacies 333 (1.45%) midwives 246 (1.07%) and the website 99 (0.43%).

Conclusions: A wide variety of screening venues were involved in offering screening for Chlamydia. The largest volume of screens (49%) came from Primary Care Practices. This may prove that Primary Care Physicians are important players in offering Chlamydia Screening opportunistically to young people

Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research:In order for Chlamydia Screening to be successful and sustainable in the future, involvement of Primary Care is important.