A qualitative study of pharmacists' views on offering chlamydia screening to women requesting Emergency Hormonal Contraception
Thomas, G.; Humphris, G.; Ozakinci, G.; O'Brien, K.; Roberts, S.A.; Hopkins, M.; Brabin, L.
Bjog An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 117(1): 109-113
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1471-0528 PMID: 19775305 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02362.xDocument Number: 207636
This was a qualitative study to understand why pharmacists, asked to offer free chlamydia postal screening to Emergency Hormonal Contraception clients, had not offered screening to all eligible women. Twenty-six pharmacists completed exit interviews and 12 agreed to semi-structured in-depth interviews. Although pharmacists were keen to expand their services, they were reluctant to offer chlamydia screening to women who were married or in a long term relationship. To avoid offence they selected women based on age, education and ethnicity. The rationale for chlamydia screening in pharmacy-based EHC schemes is compromised if pharmacists do not offer screening comprehensively.