1. 'Catching chlamydia': combining cash incentives and community pharmacy access for increased chlamydia screening, the view of young people.
- Author
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Parker, Rhian M., Bell, Allison, Currie, Marian J., Deeks, Louise S., Cooper, Gabrielle, Martin, Sarah J., Del Rosario, Rendry, Hocking, Jane S., and Bowden, Francis J.
- Subjects
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CHLAMYDIA infection diagnosis , *MEDICAL screening , *AGE , *CONSUMER attitudes , *DRUGSTORES , *INTERVIEWING , *MEDICAL care , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RESEARCH , *REWARD (Psychology) , *URINALYSIS , *CROSS-sectional method - Abstract
In Australia and elsewhere, chlamydia screening rates for those aged between 16 and 30 years continue to be low. Innovative, age-appropriate approaches are necessary to increase chlamydia screening among this target group to prevent short- and long-term consequences of the infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Studies have demonstrated that offering chlamydia screening in community pharmacies may be a useful adjunct to current screening services. Approximately 90% of Australians visit a pharmacy at least once a year. Chlamydia screening and education in community pharmacies with remuneration may provide another option for opportunistic testing as part of a national chlamydia screening scheme. Compensation is an accepted practice in the field of research and has been demonstrated to improve adherence to health promotion activities. In 2011, a cross-sectional study of community pharmacy-based chlamydia screening offered in conjunction with an A$10 cash incentive to participate was conducted in the Australian Capital Territory. As part of this study young people were asked about their experience of, and views about, pharmacy-based chlamydia screening. The views of consented participants were collected using the one-page questionnaire consisting of 10 closed questions and one open-ended question. Participants completed the questionnaire when they returned their urine sample and before being given the cash incentive. Overall participants were highly satisfied with the pharmacy-based chlamydia screening service. Over 60% of questionnaire respondents felt that the payment did affect their decision to have the chlamydia test, and 23% stated that it made no difference. Young people reported that pharmacy-based screening is acceptable and convenient. Accessibility and the small cash incentive played significant roles in increasing participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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