Qualitative analysis of psychosocial impact of diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis: implications for screening
A diagnosis of chlamydia triggers women's concern about the perceived stigma of sexually transmitted infections, future reproductive health, and notifying partners, according to a study in this week's BMJ. These findings have important implications for a proposed national screening programme in the UK.
Duncan and colleagues surveyed 17 women, aged between 18 and 29 years, attending either a genitourinary medicine clinic or a family planning clinic in Glasgow about their experiences and concerns of being diagnosed with chlamydia. Three themes were identified: perceptions of stigma associated with sexually transmitted infection, uncertainty about future reproductive health and anxieties regarding partner's reaction to diagnosis.
These areas of concern need to be examined before the implementation of any new screening programme, say the authors. For example, information given to women before screening should seek to normalise and destigmatise chlamydial infection to reduce the negative psychosocial impact of a positive diagnosis. Furthermore, messages accompanying screening should not imply that diagnosis and treatment will prevent infertility, and support services should be available because notification of partner can cause anxiety, they conclude.
Contact:
Barbara Duncan, Centre for Applied Social Psychology, University of Strathclyde, UK Email: barbara.duncan@strath.ac.uk