TY - JOUR
T1 - Feasibility of anorectal chlamydia testing in women
T2 - a cross-sectional survey among general practitioners
AU - Derckx, Raissa T
AU - Rinsma, Sygriet
AU - Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H T M
AU - Ab, Elisabeth
AU - van Bergen, Jan
AU - de Bont, Eefje
AU - Hoebe, Christian J P A
AU - Cals, Jochen W L
N1 - © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - BACKGROUND: Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) may be clinically relevant for women in general practice. Although anorectal CT testing in this setting may prevent underdiagnosis and undertreatment, its feasibility is questioned as GPs currently rarely order anorectal CT tests, for yet unknown reasons.OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of anorectal CT testing in women in general practice.METHODS: GPs across the Netherlands were invited directly (n = 1481) and by snowball sampling (n = 330) to join an online cross-sectional survey that asked about the acceptability of and barriers for (standard) anorectal testing in women during CT-related consultations. Data were analysed with univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.RESULTS: The questionnaire was opened by 514 respondents (28%, 514/1811) and 394 fully completed it. GPs' acceptability of anorectal testing by either self-sampling or provider-sampling was high (86%). Twenty-eight percent of GPs felt neutral, and 43% felt accepting towards standard anorectal testing. Nevertheless, 40% of GPs had never tested for anorectal CT in women, which was associated with a reported difficulty in asking about anal sex (odds ratio [OR]: 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-7.80), infrequency of anal sexual history taking (OR: 11.50, 95% CI: 6.39-20.72), low frequency of urogenital CT testing (OR 3.44, 95%-CI: 1.86-6.38) and with practicing in a non-urban area (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.48-3.48). Acceptability of anorectal testing was not associated with the studied factors.CONCLUSION: This quantitative survey shows that anorectal CT testing is feasible based on its acceptability, but is likely hindered by a lower awareness of (anorectal) CT in GPs.
AB - BACKGROUND: Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) may be clinically relevant for women in general practice. Although anorectal CT testing in this setting may prevent underdiagnosis and undertreatment, its feasibility is questioned as GPs currently rarely order anorectal CT tests, for yet unknown reasons.OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of anorectal CT testing in women in general practice.METHODS: GPs across the Netherlands were invited directly (n = 1481) and by snowball sampling (n = 330) to join an online cross-sectional survey that asked about the acceptability of and barriers for (standard) anorectal testing in women during CT-related consultations. Data were analysed with univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.RESULTS: The questionnaire was opened by 514 respondents (28%, 514/1811) and 394 fully completed it. GPs' acceptability of anorectal testing by either self-sampling or provider-sampling was high (86%). Twenty-eight percent of GPs felt neutral, and 43% felt accepting towards standard anorectal testing. Nevertheless, 40% of GPs had never tested for anorectal CT in women, which was associated with a reported difficulty in asking about anal sex (odds ratio [OR]: 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-7.80), infrequency of anal sexual history taking (OR: 11.50, 95% CI: 6.39-20.72), low frequency of urogenital CT testing (OR 3.44, 95%-CI: 1.86-6.38) and with practicing in a non-urban area (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.48-3.48). Acceptability of anorectal testing was not associated with the studied factors.CONCLUSION: This quantitative survey shows that anorectal CT testing is feasible based on its acceptability, but is likely hindered by a lower awareness of (anorectal) CT in GPs.
KW - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW - diagnostic techniques and procedures
KW - general practice
KW - medical history taking
KW - sexually transmitted diseases
KW - women
KW - SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
KW - NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE
KW - TRACHOMATIS
KW - DYSFUNCTION
KW - HISTORY
KW - HEALTH
KW - SEX
U2 - 10.1093/fampra/cmab036
DO - 10.1093/fampra/cmab036
M3 - Article
C2 - 34173649
SN - 0263-2136
VL - 38
SP - 724
EP - 730
JO - Family Practice
JF - Family Practice
IS - 6
ER -