Healthcare specialists weigh chlamydia screenings, partner notification

Researchers have announced that healthcare communication systems that notify individuals' partners of their chlamydia diagnoses would be cost effective, especially compared to increased screenings.

A study published in the British Medical Journal found that systematically alerting the partners of those diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease (STD) would save the public millions in public costs.

Currently, just 8 percent of UK men seek out chlamydia tests, compared to nearly one quarter of UK women.

The authors of the study determined that a partner notification program would likely cost £3.3 million, compared to encouraging more men to get chlamydia screening, which could cost up to £23 million per year.

The team concluded that informing partners of chlamydia test results may save money while slowing the spread of the STD. They added that sexual health screenings are still critical in preventing further transmission.

In the US, nearly 2.3 million people have chlamydia, half whom are unaware of being infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.