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Chlamydia strategy targets men

09/11/2007

A new strategy has been launched to increase men's awareness of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia and to improve screening rates.

Last month the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 84 per cent of men are aware that chlamydia is an STI but 75 per cent were unaware of the infection's symptoms.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in England but at least 50 per cent of infected men and 70 per cent of infected women do not have any symptoms.

If left untreated, it can lead to serious reproductive and other health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease. In men it can cause epididymitis which causes pain in one or both testicles.

Some recent studies have suggested that fertility in men can be impaired as a result of infection.

The new awareness strategy will be launched today at the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) and aims to increase the number of men being screened for chlamydia.

About 21 per cent of men aged under 25 were screened in the past year.

Dr Mary Macintosh, director of the chlamydia programme said: "The number of young men being screened for chlamydia has been increasing year on year but there is still work to be done to ensure that this number continues to rise."

"It is crucial that young men are aware of the risks of chlamydia for themselves and for their partners. This will help prevent the spread of the infection and improve their sexual health."