Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Clare Heal.
International medical graduates (IMGs) form a significant part of the Australian general practice workforce. Many experience social and professional problems and perform poorly inThe Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Fellowship Examination. This article reports on a pilot program in Mackay, north Queensland that addressed some of these issues.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in young patients presenting to general practitioners and to evaluate selective screening, based on risk factors, including gender. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of 508 consecutive patients aged 18-24, presenting to six general practices and one youth clinic in Mackay, North Queensland. We screened urine for chlamydia using Ligase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of 508 samples, 25 were positive (5%). The only factors with increased risks of infection were attendance at a youth clinic and recent change in sexual partner. It was as high in men as in women. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of chlamydia infection may be high enough to support screening of all patients aged 18-24, depending on cost effectiveness studies.