Screening For Chlamydia Trachomatis With Routine Pap Smears In General Practice: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,500.00
Summary
Genital chlamydia infection is the most commonly reported infectious disease in Australia. Notifications have increased three fold since 1995; five-fold in the ACT and surveillance data underestimate the true incidence of the disease in the community. Chlamydia is associated with immediate morbidity in men and women including urethritis, epididymo-orchitis, cervicitis, and pelvic pain and long-term complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertilit ....Genital chlamydia infection is the most commonly reported infectious disease in Australia. Notifications have increased three fold since 1995; five-fold in the ACT and surveillance data underestimate the true incidence of the disease in the community. Chlamydia is associated with immediate morbidity in men and women including urethritis, epididymo-orchitis, cervicitis, and pelvic pain and long-term complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. The economic costs of Chlamydial infection in Australia have been estimated to be as high as $160 million each year. In the ACT 73.8% of chlamydial infections occur in the 20-40 year old group. Between 60 and 70% of women in this age range participate in Pap screening every two years. While targeted screening for Chlamydia in women is effective in the US, there are few studies that investigate its value in an Australian setting. In this randomised controlled clinical trial we aim to test the novel hypothesis that the routine offer of chlamydia testing to women between 20 and 40 years who undergo Pap screening significantly increases the detection of Chlamydia in that population. This is the first randomised-controlled trial of its type and is an extension of a current non-randomised pilot study of linked Chlamydia-Pap screening in the primary care setting. The aim is to determine if the program can be incorporated more widely in the ACT. The study will: Measure the impact of linked chlamydia-Pap screening on chlamydia screening participation rates More accurately determine the epidemiology of genital chlamydial infection in this age group and social setting; Undertake an economic evaluation of this approach; Determine if promoting the Pap smear as an opportunity for chlamydial screening increases the uptake of Pap screening in younger women Aid in the development of a National Chlamydia Screening strategyRead moreRead less
Discrimination Or Discretion? Factors Contributing To Discrimination Of People With Hepatitis C In Health Care Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,750.00
Summary
Hepatitis C is now the leading communicable disease in Australia and stigma and discrimination have been identified as major barriers to addressing this epidemic. This study builds on our previous work in which we have found evidence of discrimination against people with hepatitis C in health care settings. Discrimination, inappropriate and unfair treatment against people with hepatitis C, in health care settings is a major barrier to care, treatment and support. A key strategy for developing ef ....Hepatitis C is now the leading communicable disease in Australia and stigma and discrimination have been identified as major barriers to addressing this epidemic. This study builds on our previous work in which we have found evidence of discrimination against people with hepatitis C in health care settings. Discrimination, inappropriate and unfair treatment against people with hepatitis C, in health care settings is a major barrier to care, treatment and support. A key strategy for developing effective strategies to reduce both perceived and real discrimination of people with hepatitis C in health care settings is to gain a better understanding of the range of issues experienced by the health care providers themselves and factors in the broader health service context that impact on optimal care. The aim of this study is to identify these factors and the findings will influence policy and practice with the ultimate goal of removing barriers to equitable and appropriate health care for people with hepatitis C. The study will focus on both people (health care providers)- the knowledge, attitudes and practices among health care professionals in relation to infection control practices, hepatitis C and injecting drug use; and contexts (health care settings)- factors in the health care settings that contribute to discriminatory, inappropriate or unfair treatment of people with hepatitis C. The study will focus specifically on health care settings of general practice, dentistry, nursing and pharmacists. The outcomes will be used to develop practical and effective strategies for both improving health care for HCV positive individuals and improving the working relationships and environments for these health professionals working with this client population.Read moreRead less