SCREENING FOR GENITAL CHLAMYDIA FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES: A STRUCTURED LITERATURE REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE

To review evidence and develop a conceptual framework regarding facili-tators of and barriers to access and provision of chlamydia testing andtreatment (CT&T) in community pharmacies from providers and usersperspective. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted for interna-tional research in electronic databases and grey literature from January1990 to September 2010. The evidence categories used by the UK Depart-ment of Health in the National Service Framework (2001) was applied toeach paper. RESULTS: We included 17 papers and reports. No systematicreviews and only one RCT was found. The conceptual framework devel-oped can broadly be seen at three levels; i.e. i) Service delivery i.e. Com-munity pharmacy action and behaviour, ii) Young people decision toreceive service and iii) Stakeholders policy and action. Key facilitatorsidentified were convenience of access - in terms of location, no need forappointment and extended opening hours for pharmacies - lack of socialstigma to get the service from pharmacies rather than specialised sexualhealth clinics, incentives for pharmacies for provision of such care and in-pharmacy facilities such as counselling area and toilet. Identified barriersto access or provide CT&T service were level of privacy, anonymity andconfidentiality achievable in a pharmacy setting, insufficient promotion ofthe service, pharmacy staff work load and lack of trained staff and perceivedrisk of chlamydia. CONCLUSION: Chlamydia screening in communitypharmacies is broadly acceptable to both service users and providers. How-ever if screening is to succeed, policy makers must consider the facilitatorsand barriers identified by young people and pharmacy staff.