University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Sex differences in the experience of testing positive for genital chlamydia infection: a qualitative study with implications for public health and for a national screening programme

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 13:58 authored by J Darroch, L Myers, Jackie Cassell
OBJECTIVES: To explore men's and women's accounts of chlamydia testing, with a view to understanding sex differences in attitudes and in behaviours of public health importance. METHODS: Semistructured interviews with 24 heterosexual patients (12 men; 12 women) diagnosed with genital chlamydia infection, at a large sexual health clinic in central London were transcribed and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants' expressions revealed important sex differences. Women felt anxious about their future reproductive health, feared stigmatisation, and blamed themselves for contracting chlamydia; whereas men generally reported less concern, were unwilling to disclose their condition to sexual partners, and some men projected attributions of blame onto their partners. Delays in seeking care appeared to be related to perceptions of chlamydia as a relatively minor infection, particularly in men. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion needs to reflect sex and age differences, emphasising the negative consequences of delayed clinic attendance and exposure to repeat infections. For health professionals to respond appropriately and effectively to increasing numbers of chlamydia infections, there is a need to understand men's avoidant attitudes and behaviours in relation to sexual and reproductive health.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Sexually Transmitted Infections

ISSN

1368-4973

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

Issue

5

Volume

79

Page range

372-373

Department affiliated with

  • Primary Care and Public Health Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2007-03-30

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC