[Testing pattern and prevalence of Chlamydia infections among men].
BACKGROUND
The knowledge of testing patterns and prevalence of chlamydia among Norwegian men is sparse.


METHODS
Data on chlamydia tests for men were selected from the database at the only laboratory in a Norwegian county carrying out chlamydia tests. 12,633 men aged 15-59 at first test and resident in the county were included in the study.


RESULTS
Age-specific rates for first test for young men increased throughout the study period. By the age of 25, one in five men had been tested for chlamydia at least once. One in six of first tests was positive. Chlamydia prevalence at first test was highest among men 20-24 years old (21% in 2003). Men who initially had a positive test more often had a repeated test than men who initially had a negative test. Furthermore, 12-month incidence of chlamydia infection subsequent to the first test was higher among men who initially tested positive (12%) than among men who initially tested negative (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Even though testing rates increased throughout the study period, the proportion of men who had been tested for chlamydia at the age of 25 was low. The prevalence at first test was high throughout the study period. Increased availability of urine-based testing will probably lead to more chlamydia testing among men.
Avdeling for epidemiologisk forskning, SINTEF Helse, 7465 Trondheim. inger.bakken@sintef.no
Inger Johanne
IJ
Bakken
Finn Egil
FE
Skjeldestad
Svein Arne
SA
Nordbø
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence