• Andrew Lau, Simone Spark, Jane Tomnay, Meredith T Smith, Christopher K Fairley, Rebecca J Guy, Basil Donovan, and Jane S Hocking.
• Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC j.hocking@unimelb.edu.au.
• Med. J. Aust. 2016 Feb 15; 204 (3): 112.e1-5.

ObjectivesTo investigate socio-demographic and structural factors associated with not providing a specimen for chlamydia testing following a request by a general practitioner.Design, Setting And ParticipantsCross-sectional analysis of chlamydia testing data for men and women aged 16-29 years attending general practice clinics participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a chlamydia testing intervention. The study period was the 2013 calendar year.OutcomeThe proportion of chlamydia test requests for which the patient did not provide a specimen for testing.ResultsDuring the study period, there were 13 225 chlamydia test requests, for which a chlamydia test was not performed in 2545 instances (19.2%; 95% CI, 16.5-22.3%). Multivariate analysis indicated that the odds for not undertaking a requested test were higher for men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6), those aged 16-19 years (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4), those living in areas of greater socio-economic disadvantage (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4 for each additional quintile of Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage), and those attending clinics without on-site pathology collection (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.9).ConclusionOne in five young people did not submit a specimen for chlamydia testing despite their GP requesting it. This highlights the need for clinics to establish systems which ensure that men and those aged 16-19 years undertake chlamydia tests requested by a GP.

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