Sexual health in general practice: do practitioners comply with the sexually transmitted infections guidelines for management of suspected chlamydial infections?

Abstract

Escalating notifications of chlamydia in Western Australia (WA) prompted an audit of the compliance of general practitioners (GPs) with the current guidelines for management. The audit consisted of a telephone survey of GPs known to have treated a case of chlamydia. GPs generally performed opportunistic screening well and complied with the guidelines for testing and treatment. Only 8% of GPs took a comprehensive sexual history from symptomatic cases, 53% routinely tested for blood-borne sexually transmitted infections and 29% recorded a discussion of partner notification in the medical records. The results of the audit form part of the review of the current edition of the guidelines, and will be noted in the plans for promotion and dissemination of the next edition.