TY - GEN
T1 - Experiences of men and women participating in screening for genital chlamydia infection in the UK
AU - Daker-White, Gavin
PY - 2004/5
Y1 - 2004/5
N2 - Experiences of men and women participating in screening for genital chlamydia infection in the UK Mills, N | Campbell, R | Daker-White, GInternational Journal of STD & AIDS [Int. J. STD AIDS]. Vol. 15, suppl. 1, [np]. May 2004Chlamydia trachomatis is the commonest sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Screening in selected health care settings is now being introduced. There is, however, no substantial evidence about the impact of screening for chlamydia on those screened. To assess the effect of screening for chlamydia on the emotional, psychological and social well-being of those participating in a population-based study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 45 people participating in a project investigating screening for chlamydia using a topic checklist. Purposive sampling ensured a mix of positives/negatives, gender, age and geographical location. Interviews were audio-tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed text was methodically coded and themes were identified using the constant comparison method of grounded theory. Although all informants had accepted chlamydia testing, many reported some unease. This was associated with the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infection and discomfort with sexual health issues. The most profound adverse effects were apparent in those who tested positive: the main issues were shock from the diagnosis, dread of informing sexual partners, perceived stigma, and anxiety about infertility. Reported advantages of the screening were that it made some informants aware of the risks they had taken, prompting tests for other infections and reconsideration of their sexual behaviour. Despite reported adverse effects, no one regretted their decision to be screened. Further efforts are required to destigmatize a diagnosis of chlamydia. Health professionals offering chlamydia screening must be suitably trained to inform individuals of the potential adverse effects, and to deal with their consequences.
AB - Experiences of men and women participating in screening for genital chlamydia infection in the UK Mills, N | Campbell, R | Daker-White, GInternational Journal of STD & AIDS [Int. J. STD AIDS]. Vol. 15, suppl. 1, [np]. May 2004Chlamydia trachomatis is the commonest sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Screening in selected health care settings is now being introduced. There is, however, no substantial evidence about the impact of screening for chlamydia on those screened. To assess the effect of screening for chlamydia on the emotional, psychological and social well-being of those participating in a population-based study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 45 people participating in a project investigating screening for chlamydia using a topic checklist. Purposive sampling ensured a mix of positives/negatives, gender, age and geographical location. Interviews were audio-tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed text was methodically coded and themes were identified using the constant comparison method of grounded theory. Although all informants had accepted chlamydia testing, many reported some unease. This was associated with the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infection and discomfort with sexual health issues. The most profound adverse effects were apparent in those who tested positive: the main issues were shock from the diagnosis, dread of informing sexual partners, perceived stigma, and anxiety about infertility. Reported advantages of the screening were that it made some informants aware of the risks they had taken, prompting tests for other infections and reconsideration of their sexual behaviour. Despite reported adverse effects, no one regretted their decision to be screened. Further efforts are required to destigmatize a diagnosis of chlamydia. Health professionals offering chlamydia screening must be suitably trained to inform individuals of the potential adverse effects, and to deal with their consequences.
M3 - Conference contribution
VL - 15 (Suppl. 1)
T3 - International Journal of STD & AIDS
BT - International Journal of STD & AIDS
PB - Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd
CY - London
T2 - British Association for Sexual Health & HIV / American Sexually Transmitted Disease Association (BASHH/ASTDA) International Spring Meeting
Y2 - 1 January 1824
ER -