8. 'STAMP OUT CHLAMYDIA' PROJECT - BRINGING CHLAMYDIA SCREENING TO TERTIARY STUDENTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Abstract

Study's objective: Stamp Out Chlamydia (SOC) is a pilot research project funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health & Aging to devise and implement a cost effective program for education and chlamydia screening for ACT tertiary students aged 16-26 years at The Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra and Canberra Institutes of Technology, that may be suitable for national implementation.

Methodology: A collaborative clinical outreach project between Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT and ANU Medical School, whereby the SOC team attends student-initiated events on ACT tertiary campuses to educate and test young people, using self-obtained urine specimens.

Summary of Results: The majority of these outreach events were attended by two Registered Nurses and the Health Promotion Officer. To date they have attended 19 events including Orientation Week activities, BBQ's, Easter Scavenger Hunt, Gay Pride Week events and sports events. Promoting the SOC project has been through word of mouth, SOC 'Champions', convenience and media advertising and a dedicated web site.

By May 2007 the SOC project had:

Interfaced with 1512 tertiary students and offered them the opportunity to participate in the research

Screened 445 for chlamydia

Found a chlamydia prevalence of 1.8%

Treated eight cases and their contacts

Of those screened:

Male 240

Female 205

Target group 412

Conclusion: ACT tertiary students accept this outreach approach. Of students approached, over a quarter agreed to have screening. The high profile of the SOC project is leading to an increased awareness of chlamydia. Many students are unaware of the high incidence and/or the consequences of chlamydia, if left untreated and report that they would not have attended mainstream services for screening.

Ongoing data analysis will determine if this project is cost effective and feasible.