We need to talk about Chlamydia

A surprise finding from a major study of chlamydia testing in GPs has led researchers to recommend a renewed focus on better management of this common infection.
PhD Candidate, Alaina Vaisey, Dr Sabine Bratt and Professor Jane Hocking

This landmark trial - the world’s largest and most comprehensive trial of chlamydia testing in primary care - found that opportunistic testing of young adults in general practice is unlikely to control genital chlamydia.

Chlamydia is Australia’s most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmitted infection, and if left untreated, can  cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women which increases their risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

The researchers recommend greater emphasis on improving chlamydia case management in primary care. Jane Hocking, Alaina Vaisey (CEB, Sexual Health Unit) and Sabine Braat (CEB, Biostatistics Unit) in collaboration with investigators from the Department of General Practice within the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Deakin University, University of New South Wales and University of Bern ran the trial from 2009 to 2015, involving 130 general practices in 54 towns across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia, over 1,200 GPs and more than 90,000 people aged 16-29.

Read more in Pursuit.