Impact of National Chlamydia Screening Programme on  children aged <16 years attending a sexual health clinic: 10 years later

Abstract:  
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to compare the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the uptake of chlamydia test in a Level 3 sexual health clinic during pre and post National chlamydia screening programme (NCSP) periods. The programme has also included children aged <16 years if they are found to be Fraser competent.
Methods: The study period: 1st September 2002- 31st August 2016.  Data were collected retrospectively from the Lilie Sexual Health Management System.
Results: Total of 894 (N=894) children were studied; of whom 80% were girls. Age range was 13-15years. Demographic details were similar in pre and post- NSCP periods.

	Overall STI rate	Chlamydia rate	Test Uptake
Pre-NSCP
2003&2004 (n=160)	19%	6%	46%
Introduction of NSCP locally in  2004
Post- NSCP
2005&2006 (n=155)	23%	13%	59%
2007&2008 (n=156)	21%	15%	60%
Level 2  young people sexual health service was introduced in 2008
2009&2010 (n=140) , 5 years later	14%	7%	64%
2011&2012 (n=107)	 8%	4%	66%
2013&2014(n=94)	12%	8%	66%
2015&2016 (n=82), 10 years later	 9%	3%	67%
Discussion: The rate of genital chlamydia infections had peaked during the immediate post- NSCP period. This is probably related to increased uptake of chlamydia test using the less invasive method. However, the overall trend has shown some reduction in both chlamydia and other STI rates in children aged 13-15 years attending our clinic for the past eight years. The reduction might have been contributed by NSCP in addition to changes in the sexual health services locally.

Impact of National Chlamydia Screening Programme in children aged <16 years attending a sexual health clinic: 10 years later

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland