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Cascade of Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Inclusive of an Annual Health Check in an Urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service

Condy CANUTO , Judith Dean , Joseph Debattista, Jon Willis, Federica Barzi, Jonathan Leitch, James Ward

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To gain an understanding of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhoea (NG) testing conducted within an Annual Health Check (AHC) as well as part of standard medical consultations for clients aged 15 to 29 years attending an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) in the period 2016 to 2021. Methods: De-identified electronic medical record data (EMR) was extracted and analysed on CT and NG testing by gender, age, and Indigenous status as well as the context of testing (conducted within an AHC or not). We also constructed an access, testing, and diagnosis cascade of care for CT and NG, inclusive of an AHC. Results: Combined testing within an AHC and outside an AHC for CT and NG ranged between 30-50%, except for the year 2021. Males were twice as likely to receive a CT and NG test within an AHC consultation than females. Females were almost equally likely to have a CT and NG test both as part of an AHC consult and during other clinical consultations. Females had the highest CT positivity in 2018 (11%) and 2019 (11%), with a dip in 2020 (5%), while NG diagnoses remained stable at 2%. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of the AHC to facilitate greater coverage of CT and NG testing in an urban ACCHS. Screening conducted within an AHC alongside screening in medical consultations might be enough to reduce CT prevalence over sustained period.

SH24075  Accepted 03 January 2025

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