‘Yes wee can’– a nurse-driven asymptomatic screening program for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in a remote emergency department
Adam Mossenson A F , Kathryn Algie B , Melanie Olding C , Linda Garton D and Carole Reeve EA PO Box 8691, Perth BC, WA 6849, Australia.
B Fremantle Hospital, Alma Street, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.
C Kimberley Population Health, Yamamoto House, Napier Terrace, Broome, WA 6725, Australia.
D National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, 45 Beach Street, Coogee, NSW 2034, Australia.
E Yamamoto House, Napier Terrace, Broome, WA 6725, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: mossenson@gmail.com
Sexual Health 9(2) 194-195 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH11064
Submitted: 18 April 2011 Accepted: 25 June 2011 Published: 30 March 2012
Journal Compilation © CSIRO Publishing 2012 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Background: A nurse-driven, urine-based screening program for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamyida trachomatis was conducted in a remote emergency department targeting asymptomatic youth. Methods: Individuals who presented to the Emergency Department with non-genitourinary complaints between the ages of 16 and 34 were offered free opportunistic urinary testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Results: In total, 178 eligible patients were offered screening, 65% consented for testing and 14 patients (12%) returned positive results, with 10 diagnoses of chlamydia, 9 of gonorrhoea and 5 with both. Discussion: Emergency departments are an underutilised interface between difficult to reach at risk youth populations and public health services.
Additional keywords: Australia, opportunistic testing, STI.
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