Ignorance about Chlamydia among sexually active women - a two centre study

Chlamydia trachomatis is the micro-organism causing the most common sexuall y transmitted disease in the UK and Europe, The majority of female infectio ns are asymptomatic and recognized sequelae include pelvic inflammatory dis ease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Over 1200 sexually active women f rom two urban centres in the UK were questioned about awareness and knowled ge of Chlamydia genito-urinary infection. Awareness was poor, as half of th e study population had never heard of Chlamydia, Overall, less than one-qua rter demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding transmission, immunity, symp toms, and sequelae, Better knowledge was found in women over the age of 25 years, in those cohabiting, in those with a professional/management occupat ion, and in those attending family planning clinics, The Chief Medical Offi cer's Expert Advisory Group on Chlamydia (1998) has recommended opportunist ic screening of asymptomatic sexually active women in the UK, This study gi ves insight into the considerable task facing the Department of Health, as only an informed public will take up the offer of Screening, Research is ur gently needed to assess the impact of different approaches to education reg arding sexually transmitted infection.