Over 100,000 young people in Wirral tested for Chlamydia over ten years of screening

Feb 17 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

NHS Wirral is marking a decade since the launch of its Chlamydia screening programme.

More than 105,000 young people in Wirral have been tested for the sexually transmitted infection in the last ten years – 10,500 in 2008/9/

Wirral spearheaded the original pilot scheme for the national Chlamydia screening programme 1999.

Its aim was to test and evaluate the acceptability of offering Chlamydia urine testing to sexually active people aged 16 to 24 who had no symptoms.

The results showed 10% of those tested had Chlamydia and, a decade on, every Primary Care Trust in the country now offers a Chlamydia screening programme to the same age group.

Judy Fairbairn, programme co-ordinator for NHS Wirral, said: “The pilot study found that young people with no symptoms of an infection were open to the suggestion of regular screening for what was then known as ‘the silent disease’ – as this was a non-invasive urine test.

“This attitude has continued with more young people taking the responsible decision to get tested. Our role is not only to encourage screening to the most at risk age group, but to also promote a healthy sexual well-being. Using a condom each time you have sex will reduce your risk of getting Chlamydia.”

For more information visit www.eazeescreen.co.uk