The pattern of notification and testing for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Victoria, 1998-2000: an ecological analysis.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Although these data provide useful information showing these rates vary with age and sex, formal epidemiological prevalence and risk factor studies are required.
Hocking
Jane
J
Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Department of Public Health, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3001. hocking@burnet.edu.au
Fairley
Christopher
C
Counahan
Megan
M
Crofts
Nick
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009313:National Health Programs; D012737:Sex Factors; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology