It is difficult to make people use condoms - or is it?

Chlamydia is the most common infection among the sexually transmitted infections (STI) included in Swedish law. A previous history of an STI is a strong risk factor for re-infection with chlamydia. The aim of this study was to elicit from patients their motivation for using condoms and for starting to practise safer sex more frequently, which reduces re-infection with chlamydia. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with chlamydia infection at the STI clinic received information about condoms and counselling, based on a motivational interviewing technique. At follow-up 6–8 months later by a telephone call from the medical social worker, in general, the patients used condoms more frequently and had sex with fewer partners compared with before. The re-infection rate with CT was 2.2%.