Non-invasive screening of teenagers for Chlamydia trachomatis in a family planning setting.

Responsible for a significant proportion of all cases of pelvic inflammatory disease Chlamydia trachomatis has been described as the most common treatable sexually transmitted infection in the developed world. Findings are presented from a study conducted to estimate the prevalence of chlamydial infection among young women under age 21 years attending 2 specialized family planning/sexual health clinics in Lothian by using a urine test. One clinic was in the city at Dean Terrace Center while the second clinic was a peripheral family planning clinic in a small West Lothian rural town approximately 15 miles from Edinburgh. 100 women aged 20 years or younger attending the 2 clinics specifically targeting teenagers were screened for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis using first void urine specimens. The overall prevalence of infection was 6.2% 3% at Dean Terrace Center and 12.5% in the peripheral clinic a statistically significant difference. All 6 women infected with Chlamydia were asymptomatic nulliparous and with no prior history of sexually transmitted disease. None of the 6 women were consistent users of condoms. Further research examining peripheral clinic settings in West Lothian is currently underway.