The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that Hawai'i had the highest screening rate in the nation in 2007 for the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia.

The fact that 57.8 percent of teenage girls and young women age 15 to 25 were tested for chlamydia is an achievement, said Peter Whiticar of the state Health Department branch that deals with sexually transmitted diseases.

The improved screening rate may be the result of additional money for screening that the Legislature approved, Whiticar said.

Chlamydia is the most reported communicable disease in Hawai'i and the country.

Whiticar noted that men also are affected by chlamydia, even though it is often regarded as a women's disease. It frequently displays no symptoms.