Self-reported risk factors for chlamydia: a survey of pharmacy-based emergency contraception consumers.

CHLAMYDIA infection diagnosis; SEXUALLY transmitted disease diagnosis; PREVENTION of sexually transmitted diseases; CHLAMYDIA infections; CONDOMS; EMERGENCY contraceptives; MEDICAL emergencies; PHARMACOLOGY; SELF-evaluation; SURVEYS; DATA analysis; DISEASE complications; DISEASE risk factors

Objectives To investigate the self-reported risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis in pharmacy-based emergency contraception ( EC) consumers, evaluate their pharmacy experience and determine whether they would be willing to accept a chlamydia test from the pharmacy. Methods A survey for women to complete after their EC consultation was developed from themes identified in a literature search. Nineteen pharmacies in the Perth metropolitan region and 13 pharmacies in rural, regional and remote Western Australia ( WA) participated in this study. Key findings From the 113 surveys completed ( n = 75 from Perth metropolitan; n = 38 from rural, regional and remote WA), 85% of respondents were between 16 and 29 years of age and all (100%) of the women had inconsistent barrier contraception. Almost all (94%) of the women had at least two, and nearly half (47%) had at least three out of the four risk factors for chlamydia. Nearly 70% of the women found it very easy/easy to access a pharmacy and felt very comfortable/comfortable discussing EC with the pharmacist. Significantly more women said they would be willing to accept a chlamydia test from a rural, regional and remote WA pharmacy than from a Perth metropolitan pharmacy ( P = 0.003). Conclusion Pharmacy-based EC consumers are at high risk of chlamydia and would be willing to accept a chlamydia test from the pharmacy. There is an urgent need to re-orientate health services in Australia so that all EC consumers, including those obtaining EC from pharmacies, have the opportunity to be tested for chlamydia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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