Health Tips: Physicians Should Screen for Chlamydia

A new report has found that many physicians may not be screening teenage girls for chlamydia, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh studied more than 800 Pennsylvania physicians and found that they were less likely to test for the disease if they thought that the majority of their 18-year-old patients were not having sex. However, the study pointed out, "Sixty-five percent of 18-year-old women have had intercourse, and chlamydia is frequently detected across all populations." According to the researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Adolescent Health, chlamydia tests should be given to all sexually active young women when they undergo routine gynecologic exams. The authors also note that better physician education is needed.

Other CDC News for March 23, 2001

Mortality, CD4 Cell Count Decline, and Depressive Symptoms Among HIV-Seropositive Women U.S. Drug Buyers Unlikely to Seek Deep Discounts on AIDS Medicines Congress Looks to Step Up Fight Against AIDS and Other Diseases Overseas Advertisement TB Cases Increase Despite Cheap Medication: WHO	AIDS Panic in China Leads to Draconian Measures Health Tips: Physicians Should Screen for Chlamydia Disney: No Risk to Visitors From Employee With TB Tuberculosis Treatment Interruption -- Ivanovo Oblast, Russia Federation, 1999 and Evaluation of a Directly Observed Therapy Short Course Strategy for TB Disease -- Orel Oblast, Russia, Russian Federation, 1999-2000
World TB Day -- March 24, 2001