A study published in the Paediatrics journal suggests that more Hispanic and Black girls in the US are being screened for chlamydia than white women of the same age. Minority races are automatically tested for chlamydia when they visit their GP with a complaint whereas it seems the same assumptions are not being made about white girls. Black women are three times more likely to be screened for chlamydia than white girls and Hispanic women are almost 10 times more likely to be screened.
40,000 women participated in this study and were aged between 14 and 25. The study’s author suggests that there is such a discrepancy between numbers due to the perception of race. The author also suggests that insurance providers make assumptions based on race/ethnicity, insurance status and age. Women with private insurance were less likely to be screened for this infection. Considering the symptomless nature of this infection, all sexually active women, especially between the ages of 14 and 25, should be screened.
On a different but related story, Health officials are promoting a very controversial programme in the States that will provide lessons for high school students on abstinence and safer sexual practices and will include an onsite sexual health testing centre. The main aim of this programme is to lower the number of chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases in the high school age group. The number of chlamydia cases has risen hugely from 2005 to 2009 and local health officials believe that providing such confidential and easy access sites inside the school would curb the growing rate of infection.
We may be a long way from sexual health clinics popping up in local schools around England but it does not seem like a bad idea. The longer we ignore the fact that young people are having sex and the longer we think that by avoiding discussion about it, we are in some way protecting them, the longer the spread of STIs will be a problem.