Open AccessThe pattern of notification and testing for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Victoria, 1998–2000: an ecological analysis
Author(s) -
Hocking Jane,
Fairley Christopher,
Counahan Megan,
Crofts Nick
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2003.tb00417.x
Subject(s) - chlamydia trachomatis , chlamydia trachomatis infection , chlamydial infection , chlamydia , sex organ , sexual behavior , partner notification , medicine , gynecology , biology , family medicine , immunology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , syphilis , genetics , clinical psychology
Objective: This ecological study analyses routinely collected chlamydia notification and testing data to investigate any patterns. Methods: Age and sex‐specific chlamydia notification and testing rates for Victoria were calculated for the period 1998 to 2000. Results: Chlamydia notification and testing rates rose between 1998 and 2000. Notification rates were higher among women aged 15 to 24 years than men of the same age ( p <0.01) and higher among 25 to 44‐year‐olds living in metropolitan rather than rural/regional Victoria ( p <0.01). Testing rates were higher for women than men ( p <0.01) and higher in metropolitan rather than rural/regional areas ( p <0.01) in all groups except women aged 15–24 years. Conclusions: These increasing rates highlight that chlamydia infection represents a substantial public health problem. Implications: Although these data provide useful information showing these rates vary with age and sex, formal epidemiological prevalence and risk factor studies are required.