Volume 197 - Issue 11
Online chlamydia testing: an innovative approach that appeals to young people
Authors: Lewis J Marshall, Edwina A Jachimowicz, Lisa Bastian and Donna B Mak
Med J Aust 2012; 197 (11): 621. || doi: 10.5694/mja12.11450
Published online: 10 December 2012
Published online: 10 December 2012
In reply: Azzopardi and colleagues seem to equate “young” with “adolescent”. We defined “young” as less than 30 years of age; 84% of chlamydia notifications in Western Australia occur in this age group,1 and they comprised 71% of online chlamydia testing program (OLC) users.2 This group accesses the internet frequently, with about 90% of Australians under 35 years of age using the internet at least once a ...
In reply: Azzopardi and colleagues seem to equate “young” with “adolescent”. We defined “young” as less than 30 years of age; 84% of chlamydia notifications in Western Australia occur in this age group,1 and they comprised 71% of online chlamydia testing program (OLC) users.2 This group accesses the internet frequently, with about 90% of Australians under 35 years of age using the internet at least once a week.3
Any testing divorced from face-to-face care reduces health promotion opportunities. The WA Department of Health websites (http://www.getthefacts.health.wa.gov.au and http://www.couldihaveit. com.au) from which the OLC is accessed provide relevant health information and advise people with symptoms to seek medical care. In addition, all OLC users found to have a sexually transmitted infection are followed up by a sexual health nurse.2
We will continue to advocate for improved access for young people to sexual health services. As evidenced by the chlamydia prevalence of 18% among OLC users,2 the OLC is an effective addition to existing strategies aimed at increasing chlamydia testing among high-risk groups.
Competing interests
No relevant disclosures.
References
- Government of Western Australia Department of Health. The epidemiology of notifiable sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses in Western Australia 2010. Perth: DoH, WA, 2011. 0_CBBBIAJF
- Kwan KS, Jachimowicz EA, Bastian L, et al. Online chlamydia testing: an innovative approach that appeals to young people. Med J Aust 2012; 197: 287-290. 0_i1142870
- Australian Communications and Media Authority. Communications report 2009–10 series. Report 1 — Australia in the digital economy: the shift to the online environment. Melbourne, ACMA, 2010. 0_i1142872