INTRODUCTION: 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.
INTRODUCTION: 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: Elizabeth C Dee; Katherine K Hsu; Benjamin A Kruskal; John T Menchaca; Bob Zambarano; Noelle Cocoros; Brian Herrick; Michelle D Payne Weiss; Ellen Hafer; Diana Erani; Mark Josephson; Jessica Young; Elizabeth A Torrone; Elaine W Flagg; Michael Klompas Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2019-03 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Wayne Dimech; Megan S C Lim; Caroline Van Gemert; Rebecca Guy; Douglas Boyle; Basil Donovan; Margaret Hellard Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Rebecca J Guy; Joanne M Micallef; Julie Mooney-Somers; Muhammad S Jamil; Caroline Harvey; Deborah Bateson; Caroline van Gemert; Handan Wand; John Kaldor Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2016-06-24 Impact factor: 5.428