Perceptions and experiences about chlamydia in young women in Scotland: Knowledge, condon use and access to health services: a pilot qualitative study

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted infection that, despite being largely asymptomatic, can have serious effects on women's health, including inflammatory pelvic disease and even infertility. Despite recent increase in the rate of Chlamydia infection especially in young women, research in this area in the UK and Scotland in particular is rather limited. As a result our understanding of the views of this high-risk group regarding Chlamydia and measures to protect from infection (e.g. condom use) is very limited.. This on-going pilot study will focus on the views and experiences of young women in Scotland regarding Chlamydia. Twelve semi-structured individual interviews will be conducted with female university students, addressing knowledge about Chlamydia, views about use of condoms as protection against a Chlamydia infection and about access to sexual health services. It is envisaged that the findings will provide important information on this important health issue in a high-risk population group. It is anticipated that such issues will be examined in depth in the main study and that findings of the present research will inform future research and policy in this area.