Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis with routine Pap smears in general practice: A randomised controlled trial [ 2004 - 2006 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Francis Bowden (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Marian Currie ,  Dr James Butler ,  Dr Lynette Lim ,  Helen Toyne
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Brief description Genital chlamydia infection is the most commonly reported infectious disease in Australia. Notifications have increased three fold since 1995; five-fold in the ACT and surveillance data underestimate the true incidence of the disease in the community. Chlamydia is associated with immediate morbidity in men and women including urethritis, epididymo-orchitis, cervicitis, and pelvic pain and long-term complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. The economic costs of Chlamydial infection in Australia have been estimated to be as high as $160 million each year. In the ACT 73.8% of chlamydial infections occur in the 20-40 year old group. Between 60 and 70% of women in this age range participate in Pap screening every two years. While targeted screening for Chlamydia in women is effective in the US, there are few studies that investigate its value in an Australian setting. In this randomised controlled clinical trial we aim to test the novel hypothesis that the routine offer of chlamydia testing to women between 20 and 40 years who undergo Pap screening significantly increases the detection of Chlamydia in that population. This is the first randomised-controlled trial of its type and is an extension of a current non-randomised pilot study of linked Chlamydia-Pap screening in the primary care setting. The aim is to determine if the program can be incorporated more widely in the ACT. The study will: Measure the impact of linked chlamydia-Pap screening on chlamydia screening participation rates More accurately determine the epidemiology of genital chlamydial infection in this age group and social setting; Undertake an economic evaluation of this approach; Determine if promoting the Pap smear as an opportunity for chlamydial screening increases the uptake of Pap screening in younger women Aid in the development of a National Chlamydia Screening strategy

Funding Amount $AUD 350,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant