Publication Details
Reekie, J.,
Donovan, B.,
Guy, R.,
Hocking, J.,
Kaldor, J.,
Mak, D.,
Pearson, S.,
Preen, D.,
Wand, H.,
Ward, J.,
&
Liu, B.
(2017).
Trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity in Western Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women 2001-2013: a population based cohort study.
Sexual Health, 14 (6), 574-580.
https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16207
Abstract
Aims: To examine trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women of reproductive age.
Methods: A cohort of 318002 women, born between 1974-1995, residing in Western Australia (WA) was determined from birth registrations and the 2014 electoral roll. This cohort was then probabilistically linked to all records of chlamydia and gonorrhoea nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) conducted between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2013 by two large WA pathology laboratories. Trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity were investigated over time and stratified by Aboriginality and age group.
Results: The proportion of women tested annually for chlamydia increased significantly between 2001 and 2013 from 24% to 37% in Aboriginal and 4.0% to 8.5% in non-Aboriginal women (both p-values80%) and so patterns of gonorrhoea testing were similar. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea positivity were substantially higher in Aboriginal compared to non-Aboriginal women; age-, region- and year-adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio’s 1.52(95%CI 1.50-1.69, p
Conclusion: Between 2001 and 2013 in WA chlamydia and gonorrhoea positivity remained highest in young Aboriginal women despite chlamydia positivity increasing among young non-Aboriginal women. More effective prevention strategies, particularly in young Aboriginal women are needed to addres these disparities
Keywords
chlamydia, gonorrhoa, Western Australia, testing