Chlamydia testing and retesting patterns at family planning clinics in Australia
Anna L. Bowring A M , Jane L. Goller A , Maelenn Gouillou A , Caroline Harvey B , Deborah Bateson C , Kathleen McNamee D E , Christine Read F , Douglas Boyle G , Lynne Jordan D , Robyn Wardle H , Anne Stephens I , Basil Donovan J , Rebecca Guy J , Margaret Hellard A K L and on behalf of the ACCESS collaboration
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
B Family Planning Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia.
C Family Planning New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2131, Australia.
D Family Planning Victoria, Melbourne, Vic. 3128, Australia.
E Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3168, Australia.
F Lismore Family Planning, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
G Rural Health Academic Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Vic. 3630, Australia.
H Family Planning Welfare Association, Darwin, NT 810, Australia.
I Sexual Health Information Networking and Education South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia.
J Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
K Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
L Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
M Corresponding author. Email: annab@burnet.edu.au
Sexual Health 10(1) 74-81 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH11187
Submitted: 22 December 2011 Accepted: 11 September 2012 Published: 21 December 2012
Abstract
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.
Additional keywords: C. trachomatis, positivity, screening, young people.
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