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REVIEW
Contents Vol 2(3)

The prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis in Australia 1997–2004: a systematic review

Claire M. Vajdic A D , Melanie Middleton A , Francis J. Bowden B , Christopher K. Fairley C and John M. Kaldor A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.

B Australian National University and Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.

C Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: cvajdic@nchecr.unsw.edu.au

Sexual Health 2(3) 169-183 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH05018
Submitted: 30 March 2005  Accepted: 5 August 2005   Published: 20 September 2005

Abstract

Objectives: To determine by systematic review the prevalence of genital chlamydial infection in Australia between 1997 and 2004. Methods: Electronic literature databases, reference lists, and conference proceedings were searched and health agencies and jurisdictions were contacted for published and unpublished reports. Studies were eligible if they offered a diagnostic nucleic acid amplification test to consecutive individuals presenting during the study period. As a summary measure of the available data, mean prevalence rates, weighted by sample size and irrespective of participant age, were calculated for the population sub-groups. Results: 40 studies of 50 populations and 40587 individuals met the inclusion criteria, but only one of these was population-based. The use of non-systematic methodologies prevented an assessment of time trends and a statistical comparison of population sub-groups. The mean overall prevalence of genital chlamydial infection was 4.6% (95% CI 4.4–4.8%), reflecting over-sampling of high-risk groups. The mean community-based rates were 7.5% (95% CI 6.4–8.6%) and 8.7% (95% CI 7.9–9.7%) for Indigenous men and women, and 1.5% (95% CI 1.1–1.9%) and 1.4% (95% CI 0.9–2.0%) for non-Indigenous men and women. The overall mean estimates for other groups were 3.3% (95% CI 3.0–3.7%) for female attendees of sexual health and related clinics, 5.6% (95% CI 4.9–6.4%) for adolescents and young adults, 3.3% (95% CI 2.8–3.9%) for sex workers, and 1.6% (95% CI 1.2–2.0%) for urethral infection in men who have sex with men. Clinic-based estimates were generally, although not consistently, higher than community-based estimates. There is no serial population-based data for sexually active young men and women, but the available age-specific rates suggest under-ascertainment by the routine surveillance systems. Conclusions: The prevalence of genital chlamydial infection in Indigenous Australians and young adults is unacceptably high and quality epidemiological studies are urgently required to supplement the routinely collected national notification data.

Additional keywords: genital chlamydial infection, Indigenous, surveillance.


Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support and advice from the STI Surveillance Subcommittee of the Intergovernmental Committee on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (IGCAHRD). The National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales.


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