RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Urine based screening for asymptomatic/undiagnosed genital chlamydial infection in young people visiting the accident and emergency department is feasible, acceptable, and can be epidemiologically helpful JF Sexually Transmitted Infections JO Sex Transm Infect FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 229 OP 233 DO 10.1136/sti.79.3.229 VO 79 IS 3 A1 T Aldeen A1 A Haghdoost A1 P Hay YR 2003 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/79/3/229.abstract AB Objective: To assess the acceptability and the feasibility of urine based Chlamydia trachomatis screening in asymptomatic young people aged 16–35 years attending an inner city accident and emergency (A&E) department. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: A&E department in a teaching hospital, in south London, UK. Method: From July to November 2001 a urine based chlamydia screening test was offered to 719 consecutive A&E attendees aged 16–35 years and their companions. Participants were given an information sheet and were asked to complete a demographic and sexual health questionnaire. Following informed consent, eligible participants provided first pass urine specimens. Specimens were tested for C trachomatis using nucleic acid amplification. Results: Of the A&E attendees asked, 76.5% (550/719) agreed to participate. Prevalence of genital chlamydial infection was 4.2% (18/432; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5 to 6.6). 12 of the positive participants (66.7%; 95% CI 40.99 to 86.65) were women, of whom seven were Afro-Caribbean. Nine of the chlamydia positive participants (50%; 95% CI 26.0 to 73.9) were aged 25 years. Three of the positive urine specimens were from companions, of whom a total of 143 were screened. All the positive participants were contactable, and were offered treatment. Conclusion: Urine based screening for undiagnosed genital chlamydial infection in the A&E department was acceptable and feasible. The department provides a unique site for screening young patients and companions, men and women.