Nowhere near the point of diminishing returns: correlations between chlamydia testing and notification rates in New South Wales.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between chlamydia testing and chlamydia detection rates in New South Wales, Australia, from 1999 to 2001.


METHODS
Correlations between population-based chlamydia testing and notification rates--stratified by age group, area of residence, and year--were determined by linear regression.


RESULTS
Strong positive correlations between chlamydia testing and notification rates were observed for both women (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) and men (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). Between 1999 and 2001, the chlamydia test positivity rate increased from 4.3% to 7.3% for women (p < 0.0001) and from 7.8% to 10.5% for men (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that Australia could benefit from a major chlamydia screening program.
Chen
Marcus Y
MY
Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, New South Wales. mchen@mshc.org.au
Fairley
Christopher K
CK
Donovan
Basil
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology