Screening scheme needed to arrest chlamydia surge

A national screening scheme is needed to tackle the rise of chlamydia in New Zealand, Family Planning has said.

The group's public health adviser, Hazel Lewis, said yesterday that data from Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland showed rates of chlamydia were steadily increasing, and predicted the trend was mirrored nationally.

Many young people were unaware of the effects of chlamydia which frequently had no symptoms and could lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain, Dr Lewis said. It also caused eye and lung infections in babies born to infected women.

"A very simple urine test can pick up the infection and an equally simple treatment - a single does of an antibiotic - can prevent the impact on young New Zealanders' fertility and general health.

"The costs of screening will be far less than what will be needed in the long term to manage infertility treatments and other health issues."

A study in Wellington evaluating the practicality of routine screening had been received positively by clients and their partners, she said in Family Planning's latest Forum magazine.

"We're delighted that young people have been really keen to take part in this - they appreciate being screened for this often silent infection, and they are pleased to be contributing to the bigger goal of reducing New Zealand's high chlamydia rates."

- NZPA