Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand
Abstract Objective : To describe population rates of chlamydia testing and detection by sociodemographic characteristics, and to determine whether testing is reaching those groups most at risk of infection. Methods : Laboratory data for urogenital chlamydia tests in an urban region of New Zealand we...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2012-08-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00880.x |
| _version_ | 1797700796524003328 |
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| author | Sally B. Rose Collette Bromhead Beverley A. Lawton Jane Zhang James Stanley Michael G. Baker |
| author_facet | Sally B. Rose Collette Bromhead Beverley A. Lawton Jane Zhang James Stanley Michael G. Baker |
| author_sort | Sally B. Rose |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective : To describe population rates of chlamydia testing and detection by sociodemographic characteristics, and to determine whether testing is reaching those groups most at risk of infection. Methods : Laboratory data for urogenital chlamydia tests in an urban region of New Zealand were collated for the period 1999 to 2005. Census data were used to estimate rates of testing and diagnosis (per 100,000 population). Regression analyses summarised patterns in testing and diagnosis by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation (controlling for potential confounding factors). Results : Rates of chlamydia testing and detection differed significantly by age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation. Females had lower rates of chlamydia diagnoses than males (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.39–0.42) but were tested five times more often. When tested, rates of chlamydia detection were significantly higher among Pacific (OR 2.33, 95% CI 2.16–2.5), and Māori (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.87–2.17) than among European (reference group), and among individuals living in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.55–1.77). Chlamydia diagnoses were significantly higher in the under 25 year old age group, with the highest odds of a positive result among the 15–19 year age group (OR 9.06, 95% CI 8.23–9.98). Conclusion : This analysis identified higher‐risk groups who appeared to be underserved by testing relative to their higher rates of infection (including Māori, Pacific, 15–19 year olds and individuals living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation). Implications : Appropriate chlamydia control programs with testing targeted towards higher‐risk groups are urgently needed in NZ. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T04:26:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49f0becea9f3450baa615f4d6c9c2055 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T04:26:44Z |
| publishDate | 2012-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-49f0becea9f3450baa615f4d6c9c20552023-09-03T10:16:10ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052012-08-0136434335010.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00880.xAccess to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New ZealandSally B. Rose0Collette Bromhead1Beverley A. Lawton2Jane Zhang3James Stanley4Michael G. Baker5Women's Health Research Centre, University of Otago, New ZealandDepartment of Molecular Biology, Aotea Pathology Limited, New ZealandWomen's Health Research Centre, University of Otago, New ZealandDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, New ZealandDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, New ZealandDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago, New ZealandAbstract Objective : To describe population rates of chlamydia testing and detection by sociodemographic characteristics, and to determine whether testing is reaching those groups most at risk of infection. Methods : Laboratory data for urogenital chlamydia tests in an urban region of New Zealand were collated for the period 1999 to 2005. Census data were used to estimate rates of testing and diagnosis (per 100,000 population). Regression analyses summarised patterns in testing and diagnosis by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation (controlling for potential confounding factors). Results : Rates of chlamydia testing and detection differed significantly by age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation. Females had lower rates of chlamydia diagnoses than males (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.39–0.42) but were tested five times more often. When tested, rates of chlamydia detection were significantly higher among Pacific (OR 2.33, 95% CI 2.16–2.5), and Māori (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.87–2.17) than among European (reference group), and among individuals living in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.55–1.77). Chlamydia diagnoses were significantly higher in the under 25 year old age group, with the highest odds of a positive result among the 15–19 year age group (OR 9.06, 95% CI 8.23–9.98). Conclusion : This analysis identified higher‐risk groups who appeared to be underserved by testing relative to their higher rates of infection (including Māori, Pacific, 15–19 year olds and individuals living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation). Implications : Appropriate chlamydia control programs with testing targeted towards higher‐risk groups are urgently needed in NZ.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00880.xchlamydia trachomatislaboratory surveillancesexual healthtreatment programsNew Zealand population |
| spellingShingle | Sally B. Rose Collette Bromhead Beverley A. Lawton Jane Zhang James Stanley Michael G. Baker Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health chlamydia trachomatis laboratory surveillance sexual health treatment programs New Zealand population |
| title | Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand |
| title_full | Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand |
| title_fullStr | Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand |
| title_short | Access to chlamydia testing needed for high‐risk groups: patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of New Zealand |
| title_sort | access to chlamydia testing needed for high risk groups patterns of testing and detection in an urban area of new zealand |
| topic | chlamydia trachomatis laboratory surveillance sexual health treatment programs New Zealand population |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00880.x |
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