TY - JOUR
T1 - Epidemiology of notified chlamydia infections, Queensland, 2000–2019
AU - Laidlow, Troy A.
AU - Lynch, Kathleen
AU - Anuradha, Satyamurthy
AU - Thompson, Craig
AU - Pourmarzi, Davoud
AU - Hocking, Jane
AU - Lambert, Stephen B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - BackgroundChlamydia infection is a frequently reported notifiable condition in Queensland, with the highest prevalence observed among young people. Infection can occur in several sites including the anus, eye, pharynx, cervix/vagina, and urethra. Currently, historical trends in chlamydia by site of infection in Queensland are unknown.MethodsA descriptive analysis of all chlamydia notifications in Queensland, 2000–2019, was performed. Queensland Health statewide notification data were classified as either anorectal, eye, genitourinary, upper respiratory tract, or other/unspecified. The number of chlamydia tests and proportion of tests positive for chlamydia were calculated using Medicare online testing data. Population denominator values were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistic’s catalogues.ResultsOver the 20-year period, chlamydia notifications increased, particularly among individuals aged 20–24 years. However, there was a noticeable decline in genitourinary notifications among those aged 15–19 years since 2010. Despite increased testing, the ratio of positive specimens to testing decreased among females aged 15–24 years. ConclusionsAcross the period of our study, there was a substantial and sustained decline in chlamydia notifications in those aged 15–19 years. Further research is required to understand factors that have contributed to this decrease and to guide programs for controlling chlamydia.
AB - BackgroundChlamydia infection is a frequently reported notifiable condition in Queensland, with the highest prevalence observed among young people. Infection can occur in several sites including the anus, eye, pharynx, cervix/vagina, and urethra. Currently, historical trends in chlamydia by site of infection in Queensland are unknown.MethodsA descriptive analysis of all chlamydia notifications in Queensland, 2000–2019, was performed. Queensland Health statewide notification data were classified as either anorectal, eye, genitourinary, upper respiratory tract, or other/unspecified. The number of chlamydia tests and proportion of tests positive for chlamydia were calculated using Medicare online testing data. Population denominator values were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistic’s catalogues.ResultsOver the 20-year period, chlamydia notifications increased, particularly among individuals aged 20–24 years. However, there was a noticeable decline in genitourinary notifications among those aged 15–19 years since 2010. Despite increased testing, the ratio of positive specimens to testing decreased among females aged 15–24 years. ConclusionsAcross the period of our study, there was a substantial and sustained decline in chlamydia notifications in those aged 15–19 years. Further research is required to understand factors that have contributed to this decrease and to guide programs for controlling chlamydia.
KW - adolescents
KW - chlamydia
KW - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW - epidemiology
KW - notifiable conditions
KW - Queensland
KW - sexually transmitted infections
KW - surveillance
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018693799
U2 - 10.1071/SH25121
DO - 10.1071/SH25121
M3 - Article
C2 - 41132000
AN - SCOPUS:105018693799
SN - 1448-5028
VL - 22
JO - Sexual Health
JF - Sexual Health
IS - 5
M1 - SH25121
ER -