Investigators
- Paul Corwin, General Practice, Chch School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Edward Coughlan, Sexual Health Centre
- Sue Bagshaw, 198 Youth Health Centre
- Libby Plumridge, Public Health, Chch School of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Gillian Abel, Public Health, Chch School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Funded by the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation (CMRF)
Background
The research examined the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among a sample of 16-18 year old secondary school pupils in Christchurch. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in New Zealand, is usually asymptomatic and thus often goes untreated. This research aimed to link patterns of sexual behaviour and other risk-taking activities with chlamydia positivity. As young people experience the highest rates of chlamydia and many do not seek or receive preventive health care services, the public health challenge to prevent sequelae is to develop innovative programs to reach youth. Little is known about the help-seeking behaviour of adolescents for sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia and so to this end the study has explored adolescents' perceptions and use of sexual health services.
Publication
Corwin P, Abel G, Wells JE, Coughlan E, Bagshaw S, Sutherland M and Plumridge L. Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence and sexual behaviour in Christchurch high school students. New Zealand Medical Journal 115(1158), 2002.