Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among ‘high risk’ young people in New South Wales
Melissa Kang A D , Arlie Rochford B , Victoria Johnston B , Julie Jackson C , Ellie Freedman B , Katherine Brown C and Adrian Mindel BA Department of General Practice, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, PO Box 154, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
B Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre, Marian Villa, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia.
C Illawarra Area Health Service, NSW, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: mkang@med.usyd.edu.au
Sexual Health 3(4) 253-254 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH06025
Submitted: 11 April 2006 Accepted: 8 November 2006 Published: 17 November 2006
Abstract
International research on homeless adolescents has found that incidence and prevalence of sexually transmissible infections is relatively high. This study reports on a chlamydia prevalence survey conducted among high-risk young people (14–25 years) in New South Wales. The participants were recruited from youth health centres, which target homeless and high-risk youth. Of 333 clients (42.6% male), 84.1% were sexually active and mean number of sexual partners over the preceding 3 months was 1.4. Among sexually active participants, 24.6% claimed to use condoms always and 25% never. Sixteen of 274 available urine samples tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Further research is warranted to better define high-risk groups and clarify the nature of associations between various factors impacting on sexual health. Most importantly, research is now called for into effective strategies for engaging and attracting young people to screening, treatment and contact tracing.
Acknowledgements
Part of this study was funded by the NSW Department of Health. Clients, managers and staff of the Centres are gratefully acknowledged. Thanks to Caron Marks for her assistance with statistical analysis.
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