Qualitative analysis of psychosocial impact of diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis: implications for screening

Objectives To investigate the psychosocial impact for women of a diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and discuss the implications for the proposed UK c hlamydia screening programme. Design Qualitative study with semistructured intel views. Interview transcr ipts analysed to identify recurrent themes. Participants Seventeen women with a current or recent diagnosis of chlamydi a Setting A family planning clinic and a genitourinary medicine clinic in Gla sgow. Results Three themes were identified: perceptions of stigma associated with sexually transmitted infection, uncertainty about reproductive health afte r diagnosis, and anxieties regarding partner's reaction to diagnosis, Most women had not previously perceived sexually transmitted infections as perso nally relevant; this was a function of stereotypical beliefs about who was "at risk" of sexually transmitted infection. These beliefs were pervasive a ns negatively affected reactions to diagnosis and produced anxiety about di sclosure of the condition to others (particularly) sexual partners) and fut ure reproductive morbidity. This anxiety, given the uncertain natural histo ry of chlamydia, may prove difficult to dispel. Conclusions There are three primary areas of concern for women after a diag nosis of chlamydia which need to be examined in the proposed screening prog ramme. Information provided should normalise and destigmatise chlamydial in fection and positively promote genitourinary medicine services. Support ser vices should be available because notification of partner can cause anxiety . Uncertainty about future reproductive morbidity may be inevitable; staff providing screening will require guidance in providing advice under such co nditions.