Concern over new chlamydia figures
New research suggests that as many as one in ten young men may unknowingly be infected with the sexually transmitted infection (STI), chlamydia.
The research, published in the Lancet today, is based on tests carried out on 800 army recruits in Scotland.
Researchers discovered that 9.8 per cent of men from the sample group were carrying the infection – these figures are in line with similar studies of young women.
While the vast majority showed no signs of having chlamydia, the findings have prompted researchers to warn that the prevalence of the STI could be substantially higher than previous estimates.
Official figures indicate that more people are being diagnosed with the infection.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency show that in 2001, 71,125 people were diagnosed with chlamydia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – up ten per cent on last year.
The infection rarely has serious consequences for men but it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women.
Although, it is easily cured with anti-biotics, the lack of obvious symptoms in the majority of cases means that many people could be carrying the infection without knowing it.
The study was based on 798 young men, aged between 16 and 25, who were undergoing basic army training. They agreed to have their urine screened for the infection as part of a general health check.
69 out of the 78 found to have the infection showed no symptoms, while the others observed symptoms so slight they had not sought medical advice.
The researchers reported that they were no more sexually active than the average young male population.
The Government has recently introduced a screening programme for chlamydia but it is mainly aimed at women attending clinics.
Gordon Scott from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary led the research, he said: ‘Our finding that the rate of asymptomatic infections was higher than that usually cited (50 per cent) shows the importance of involving men as well as women in opportunistic testing for chlamydia.’
The Department of Health has reportedly indicated that it will consider extending the screening programme to men.
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