Improving the control of chlamydia in Australia: screening and other strategies

© 2010 Dr. Jade E. BilardiChlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide, with particularly high prevalence in young people under 25 years. Left untreated it can lead to serious reproductive morbidity in women including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Given that up to 90% of infections in men and women are asymptomatic, increased testing is required to effectively detect and control infection and limit its associated morbidity. The aim of this thesis was to examine a number of specific strategies aimed at increasing screening and improving the control of chlamydia in Australia. The strategies centered on interventions in primary care to increase chlamydia screening and improve the partner notification practices of general practitioners and individuals recently diagnosed with chlamydia. This thesis reports on six separate studies undertaken to address this aim