Chlamydia trachomatis Testing Patterns and Prevalence of Genital Chlamydial Infection Among Young Men and Women in Central Norway 1990–2003: A Population-Based Registry Study

Abstract

The study objective was to investigate Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) testing patterns, prevalence, and incidence among men and women in Sør-Trøndelag county, central Norway, 1990-2003. The goal of this study was to obtain data for recommendations regarding CT screening. Laboratory data on CT tests for persons 15 to 24 years old were retrieved and analyzed. Four percent of men and 44% of women had been CT tested at least once by the age of 20. By the age of 25, 44% of men and 84% of women had been tested. Prevalence at first test was at its peak in 2000-2002 (men: 15-19 years 18%, 20-24 years 23%; women: 15-19 years 11%, 20-24 years 9%). Incidence estimates were higher for persons with a positive first test than for persons with a negative first test. More men and more female teenagers need to be tested. Repeat testing is particularly important among people who have been diagnosed with CT.