title: Chlamydia testing and retesting patterns at family planning clinics in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  National guidelines recommend opportunistic chlamydia screening of sexually active 16- to 29-year-olds and encourage retesting 3-12 months after a diagnosed chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) infection. We assessed chlamydia testing patterns at five Australian family planning clinics (FPCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using routine clinic data from 16- to 29-year-olds, we calculated chlamydia testing and positivity rates in 2008-2009. Reattendance, retesting and positivity rates at retesting within 1.5-4 and 1.5-12 months of a positive result were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 2 years, 13?690 individuals aged 16-29 years attended five FPCs (93% female). In 2008, 3159 females (41.4%,) and 263 males (57.0%) were tested for chlamydia; positivity was 8% and 19%, respectively. In 2009, 3178 females (39.6%) and 295 males (57.2%) were tested; positivity was 8% and 23%, respectively. Of 7637 females attending in 2008, 38% also attended in 2009, of which 20% were tested both years. Within 1.5-4 months of a positive test, 83 (31.1%) females reattended; the retesting rate was 13% and 12% retested positive. Within 1.5-12 months of a positive test, 96 (57.5%) females reattended; the retesting rate was 36% and 13% retested positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately 40% of young people attending FPCs were tested for chlamydia but a smaller proportion were tested annually or were retested following chlamydia infection. High positivity rates emphasise that FPCs see a high-risk population. To maximise testing opportunities, clinical prompts, patient reminder systems and non-clinic testing strategies may be needed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia. annab@burnet.edu.au
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bowring
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goller
authors.forename: Maelenn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gouillou
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bateson
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McNamee
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wardle
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Basil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hellard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011159:Population Surveillance