Chlamydia screening interventions from community pharmacies: a systematic review

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajni Gudka ◽  
Folasade E. Afuwape ◽  
Bessie Wong ◽  
Xuan Li Yow ◽  
Claire Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Based ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Implementation Support ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Training ◽  
Pharmacy Setting ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is the most commonly notified sexually transmissible infection in Australia. Increasing the number of people aged 16–25 years being tested for chlamydia has become a key objective. The strategy recommends that chlamydia screening sites should be easy to access. Community pharmacies are conveniently located and easily accessible. This review aimed to determine the different types of pharmacy-based chlamydia screening interventions, describe their uptake rates, and understand issues around the acceptability of and barriers to testing. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published up to 30 October 2011 for studies that reported chlamydia screening interventions from community pharmacies, or had qualitative evidence on acceptability or barriers linked with interventions. Results: Of the 163 publications identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Nine reported chlamydia screening interventions in a pharmacy setting, whereas three focussed on perspectives on chlamydia screening. Pharmacists could offer a chlamydia test to consumers attending the pharmacy for a sexual health-related consultation, or consumers could request a chlamydia test as part of a population-based intervention. Participating consumers said pharmacies were accessible and convenient, and pharmacists were competent when offering a chlamydia test. Pharmacists reported selectively offering tests to women they thought would be most at risk, undermining the principles of opportunistic interventions. Conclusion: Chlamydia screening from community pharmacies is feasible, and can provide an accessible, convenient venue to get a test. Professional implementation support, alongside resources, education and training programs, and incentives may overcome the issue of pharmacists selectively offering the test.

Men's attitudes towards chlamydia screening: a narrative review

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myles Balfe ◽  
Ruairi Brugha ◽  
Emer O'Connell ◽  
Deirdre Vaughan ◽  
Diarmuid O'Donovan
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability ◽  
Screening Services ◽  
Urine Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Objectives Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) that affects significant numbers of men. Research on men’s perspectives on chlamydia screening (or testing) has been limited. We conducted a narrative review to examine: (1) what factors encourage or discourage men from attending health services for chlamydia screening, and/or from accepting screening once it has been offered to them, and (2) where men want chlamydia screening services to be located. Methods: A narrative review of the recent peer-reviewed literature (published between 1999 and 2009) on men’s attitudes towards chlamydia screening. To be included, articles had to explore men’s perspectives on screening (which could be ascertained through quantitative or qualitative studies, or from relevant discussion papers or reviews). Results: Forty-eight articles were included in all. Men’s attitudes towards chlamydia screening are influenced by their knowledge about the infection, their perceived vulnerability to the infection, the degree of embarrassment and shame that they associate with screening and the stigma that they associate with screening. Men prefer to be offered urine testing for chlamydia. Men want to be offered screening by non-judgemental professionals. Men’s attitudes towards screening for chlamydia in general practice, genito-urinary medicine clinics, home and outreach settings are also explored in this review. Conclusions: Several factors influence men’s attitudes towards screening. Two central themes underlie and influence many of these factors: men’s needs to make positive impressions on others, and men’s identification with particular ideals of masculinity. The review concludes with suggestions for future research on this topic.

Missed opportunities for chlamydia screening by community pharmacists

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 297
Author(s):  
Gavin Dabrera ◽  
David Pinson ◽  
Steve Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Pharmacy Setting

Provision of Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) is an ideal opportunity for offering Chlamydia screening (CS) to sexually active young women. We audited 3 months of CS activity in community pharmacies. This identified low rates of offers and uptake of CS in community pharmacies providing EHC to young women. This highlights the potential for significant improvement in CS uptake among this at-risk group in the pharmacy setting.

Future chlamydia screening preferences of men attending a sexually transmissible infection clinic

Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Roth ◽  
Barbara Van Der Pol ◽  
Brian Dodge ◽  
J. Dennis Fortenberry ◽  
Gregory Zimet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection ◽  
Asymptomatic Men

Background Despite years of public health efforts, Chlamydia trachomatis remains a highly prevalent disease suggesting that current control strategies are not sufficient. Asymptomatic men with chlamydial infections are under-identified and probably play an important role in sustaining the epidemic. Novel methods of actively screening asymptomatic men are needed to reduce the prevalence of chlamydia. This formative study explored the features of a sexually transmissible infection (STI) control program that would encourage annual testing among men. Methods: Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, we explored issues related to health seeking behaviours and preferences for STI screening among men recruited from a public health STI clinic. Results: All 29 participants acknowledged the expertise of clinic staff and most men preferred speaking with a provider over using electronic informational resources. The clinic was the preferred venue for future screening, followed by self-collected home sampling with clinic drop-off. Men expressed a preference for receiving results via the telephone rather than electronic options, and preferred personalised reminders for future STI screening. Conclusions: In this sample, there was high interest in utilising the expertise of STI clinic personnel and less in non-clinical options. While this may be due to recruiting from an STI clinic, the data serves as a reminder that service provision must be responsive to the needs of potential users. Our findings suggest that future non-clinic based screening strategies may require an initial educational component to address concerns about confidentiality and sample quality in order to be acceptable.

Assessing competencies and training needs of pharmacy staff to deliver chlamydia screening in community pharmacies

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mufiza Zia Kapadia ◽  
Pamela Warner ◽  
Karen Fairhurst ◽  
Aileen Muir ◽  
Anna Glasier
Keyword(s):  
Training Needs ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
And Training

scholarly journals Genetic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics of adults without celiac disease who follow a gluten-free diet: a population-based study of 124,447 participants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J Littlejohns ◽  
Amanda Y Chong ◽  
Naomi E Allen ◽  
Matthew Arnold ◽  
Kathryn E Bradbury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Gluten Free Diet ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Reported Health

ABSTRACT Background The number of gluten-free diet followers without celiac disease (CD) is increasing. However, little is known about the characteristics of these individuals. Objectives We address this issue by investigating a wide range of genetic and phenotypic characteristics in association with following a gluten-free diet. Methods The cross-sectional association between lifestyle and health-related characteristics and following a gluten-free diet was investigated in 124,447 women and men aged 40–69 y from the population-based UK Biobank study. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of following a gluten-free diet was performed. Results A total of 1776 (1.4%) participants reported following a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diet followers were more likely to be women, nonwhite, highly educated, living in more socioeconomically deprived areas, former smokers, have lost weight in the past year, have poorer self-reported health, and have made dietary changes as a result of illness. Conversely, these individuals were less likely to consume alcohol daily, be overweight or obese, have hypertension, or use cholesterol-lowering medication. Participants with hospital inpatient diagnosed blood and immune mechanism disorders (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.21) and non-CD digestive system diseases (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.77) were more likely to follow a gluten-free diet. The GWAS demonstrated that no genetic variants were associated with being a gluten-free diet follower. Conclusions Gluten-free diet followers have a better cardiovascular risk profile than non-gluten-free diet followers but poorer self-reported health and a higher prevalence of blood and immune disorders and digestive conditions. Reasons for following a gluten-free diet warrant further investigation.

scholarly journals Sexual and reproductive health services provided by community pharmacists: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047034
Author(s):  
Javiera Navarrete ◽  
Nese Yuksel ◽  
Theresa J Schindel ◽  
Christine A Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Reproductive Health Services

ObjectivesPharmacists are increasingly providing patient-focused services in community pharmacies, including in the area of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Specific SRH areas have been the focus of research, but a broader perspective is needed to position pharmacists as SRH providers. This review explored research that described and evaluated professional pharmacy services across a broad range of SRH areas.DesignScoping reviewData sourcesMedline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library (January 2007–July 2020).Study selectionStudies reporting on the description and evaluation of professional pharmacy SRH services provided by community pharmacists.Data extractionTwo investigators screened studies for eligibility, and one investigator extracted the data. Data were analysed to primarily describe professional pharmacy services and intervention outcomes.ResultsForty-one studies were included. The main SRH areas and professional pharmacy services reported were sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (63%) and screening (39%), respectively. Findings showed that pharmacists’ delivery of SRH services was feasible, able to reach vulnerable and high-risk groups, and interventions were highly accepted and valued by users. However, integration into daily workflow, pharmacist remuneration, cost and reimbursement for patients, and policy regulations were some of the barriers identified to implementing SRH services. Studies were primarily in specific areas such as chlamydia screening or hormonal contraception prescribing, while studies in other areas (ie, medical abortion provision, long-acting reversible contraception prescribing and vaccine delivery in pregnant women) were lacking.ConclusionThis scoping review highlights the expansion of pharmacists’ roles beyond traditional product-focused services in a number of SRH areas. Given the potential feasibility, users’ acceptability and reach, pharmacists are ideally situated to enhance SRH care access. Future research describing implementation and evaluation of professional pharmacy services in all SRH areas is needed to promote access to these services through community pharmacies and position pharmacists as SRH providers worldwide.

scholarly journals On Examining the Quality of Spanish Translation in Telephone Surveys: A Novel Test-Retest Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-705
Author(s):  
Robert P Agans ◽  
Quirina M Vallejos ◽  
Thad S Benefield
Keyword(s):  
Past Research ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Spanish Translation ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Past research has shown that commonly reported cultural group disparities in health-related indices may be attributable to culturally mediated differences in the interpretation of translated survey questions and response scales. This problem may be exacerbated when administering single-item survey questions, which typically lack the reliability seen in multi-item scales. We adapt the test-retest approach for single-item survey questions that have been translated from English into Spanish and demonstrate how to use this approach as a quick and efficient pilot test before fielding a major survey. Three retest conditions were implemented (English-Spanish, Spanish-English, and English-English) on a convenience sample (n = 109) of Latinos and non-Latinos where translated items were compared against an English-English condition that served as our control. Several items were flagged for investigation using this approach. Discussion centers on the utility of this approach for evaluating the Spanish translation of single-item questions in population-based surveys.

scholarly journals Role of community pharmacies in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program

2021 ◽  
pp. 106420
Author(s):  
Nuria Vives ◽  
Núria Milà ◽  
Gemma Binefa ◽  
Noemie Travier ◽  
Albert Farre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Screening ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Cancer Screening Program

Young women's misperceptions about sexually transmissible infection testing: a 'clean and clear' misunderstanding

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara K. Head ◽  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Lydia A. Shrier ◽  
Gregory R. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background: This exploratory study investigated young women’s perceptions of sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing received during gynaecological care. Correlates of the incorrect perception that STI testing occurred were assessed. Methods: Cross-sectional study of sexually active young women, age 18–24 years, attending a university healthcare setting for gynaecological care (n = 109). Two hundred and four women were approached and 87 were ineligible; of the remaining 117, 93.2% chose to enrol. Results: Of the women enrolled, 25.7% falsely perceived that they were STI tested (labelled ‘clean and clear’). Only approximately one in seven (14.7%) accurately understood the STI for which they were tested. In multivariate analyses, controlling for race, STI symptoms, depression, number of lifetime visits to the gynaecologist, and suspicion of current STI, three variables were significant: minority race (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.84, confidence interval (CI) = 1.38–16.96, P = 0.01), earlier age at sexual debut (AOR = 4.67, CI = 1.73–12.57, P = 0.002), and previous STI diagnosis (AOR = 3.38, CI = 1.07–10.66, P = 0.04). Comment: The findings suggest that many young women may have an inaccurate understanding of the STI testing they undergo during gynaecological care and may operate under the misperception they are ‘clean and clear’ of STI. Women with said misperception were more likely to be of minority race and report relatively earlier age of sexual debut and previous STI diagnosis. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether the ‘clean and clear’ misperception influences young women’s sexual risk behaviour.

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