Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Testing

New research in Canada has been looking at the different methods of testing for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Men.

The study was looking at urine tests and self-administered swabs using the APITMA Combo 2 assay.

In the study, 511 men from a high risk street youth clinic were tested. One group collected a urine sample and the APTIMA swab, the second group collected a urine sample, the APTIMA swab and a flocked swab. They were asked to say which collection method they preferred and the positive rates were collected for each person.

The positive rate for chlamydia was 7.8%, and for gonorrhoea was 2.7% – where 80% of those who tested positive did not report any symptoms. Both of the swab types (flocked and APTIMA) identified the same positive and negative cases, but the swabs identified 2 more cases of chlamydia and 3 more of gonorrhoea than the urine test. However, 63% of the sample preferred the urine test, and 60% preferred the flocked swab to the APTIMA swab.

The study concluded that APTIMA swabbing could be a reliable alternative to flocked swabbing but was less popular.

Better2Know tests for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea by: urine, throat swab, rectal swab and vaginal swab (women only). Please visit our main website to find out more about where to test and how to book.