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Sex Transm Infect 2006;82:148-152 doi:10.1136/sti.2005.017046
  • Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis infections in multi-ethnic urban youth: a pilot combining STI health education and outreach testing in Rotterdam, Netherlands

  1. H M Götz1,3,
  2. I K Veldhuijzen1,
  3. J M Ossewaarde2,
  4. O de Zwart1,
  5. J H Richardus1,3
  1. 1Municipal Health Service Rotterdam Area, Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Microbiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  3. 3Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to:
 Hannelore M Götz
 MD, MPH, PhD, Municipal Health Service Rotterdam Area, Department of Infectious Diseases, PO Box 70032, 3000 LP Rotterdam, Netherlands; gotzh{at}ggd.rotterdam.nl
  • Accepted 11 November 2005

Abstract

Background/objectives: Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is less accepted in people of non-Dutch ethnicity than Dutch people. We offered additional Ct and gonorrhoea testing through our outreach sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention programme to determine whether this intervention strategy is feasible and efficient.

Methods: Outreach workers offered test kits to women and men aged 15–29 years, in group and street settings and in a vocational training school. Demographic and behavioural data and characteristics of non-responders were assessed. DNA was isolated (using the MagNA Pure LC system) from urine and tested using the Cobas Amplicor test.

Results: Among sexually active people, the test rate differed by venue (groups 80% (74/93), school 73% (49/67), street 17% (49/287); p<0.001). There was no difference in test rate between group and school settings by gender or ethnicity. Ct positivity was 14.5% (25/172); women 20.2% (20/99) versus men 6.8% (5/73); p = 0.01. Ct positivity was highest at school (24.5% (12/49)) and among Surinamese/Antillean people (17.5% (14/80)). Treatment rate of index cases and current partners was 100% and 78%, respectively.

Conclusions: We found a high acceptance of chlamydia testing in group and school settings in both men and women of non-Dutch ethnicity. The prevalence indicates that we have accessed high risk people. Outreach testing and is feasible and most efficient in school and group settings. School screening may have an impact on community prevalence of Ct infections.

Footnotes

  • This research has been financed by a grant from the Dutch Public Health Fund (fonds OGZ).

  • Conflict of interest: none declared.

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