Who is coming back for more chlamydia testing within non-specialist health services and where do they go? England, 2013–2016

Abstract Objectives To investigate patient demographics and venue type preferences within community settings associated with re-attendance for chlamydia testing. Study design Data used for this analysis were obtained from the English National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) which focuses on prevention, control and treatment of chlamydia in sexually active under-25 year olds. A greater understanding of how young adults attend services helps to inform commissioners regarding where to focus resources within community settings. Methods Data from the Chlamydia surveillance system (CTAD) were used to count patient attendances at non-specialist sexual health services (SHSs) among 15–24-year-olds and monitor re-attendance for chlamydia testing within and between community services between 6 and 18 months of their first visit. Results From January 2013 to December 2016, 866,847 young people underwent 1,041,245 tests for chlamydia. Re-attendance for chlamydia testing was 20.1% (174,398/866,847). Re-attendance rate was 28.5% after a positive test and 19.5% after a negative test. For re-attenders, 64.2% used the same venue type for both visits. General practice (GP) and sexual and reproductive health services (SRH) were the most commonly re-attended services (31.0% and 30.6% respectively). Conclusions Only one in five re-attended for chlamydia testing. Re-attendance was associated with having a positive result, accessibility and convenience. Patients are likely to return for testing to services they know. This should be considered by commissioners implementing new re-attendance guidance based on the NCSP.