Improving public health surveillance of chlamydia: analysis of population-level positivity trends
Nicola Stephens A B F , David Coleman C , Kelly A. Shaw D , Maree O’Sullivan E and Alison Venn B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance, Health Protection Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
B Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.
C Communicable Diseases Prevention Unit, Department of Health and Human Services, 25 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.
D Population Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 25 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.
E Gold Coast Health and Hospital Services, Queensland Health, 2019 Gold Coast Highway, Miami, Qld 4220, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: nicola.stephens@health.vic.gov.au
Sexual Health 12(4) 369-371 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14201
Submitted: 24 October 2014 Accepted: 29 March 2015 Published: 9 June 2015
Abstract
Background: Chlamydia remains Australia’s most frequently notified communicable disease; however, interpretation of notification data is difficult without knowledge of testing practices. This study examined the value of reporting positivity trends. Methods: Tasmanian population-level chlamydia laboratory tests and notification data from 2001 to 2010 were compared. Results: Notifications, tests and positivity increased, most significantly in males and females aged 15–29 years. Conclusions: Analysis of chlamydia positivity trends can inform the development, monitoring and evaluation of prevention and control activities and improves the interpretation of notification trends. After allowing for testing effort, an increase in chlamydia infections in young people was found.
References
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