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Sex Transm Infect 2002;78:194-197 doi:10.1136/sti.78.3.194
  • Original Article

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in an Australian high school student population

  1. J Debattista1,
  2. P Martin2,
  3. J Jamieson3,
  4. K Crane4,
  5. I Dolton5,
  6. S Russell-Hall6,
  7. J DeSilva5,
  8. R Hargrave5,
  9. T Robinson7,
  10. N Ryan5,
  11. M Mortlock5
  1. 1Centre for Molecular Biology, Qld University of Technology/Sexual Health andAIDS Service, The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District, Brisbane, Australia
  2. 2Central Public Health Unit Network-Wide Bay
  3. 3QEII Health Service District, Brisbane
  4. 4North Burnett Health Service, Gayndah
  5. 5Royal Childrens Hospital Health Service District, Brisbane
  6. 6West Moreton Health Services District, Ipswich
  7. 7Bundaberg Health Service District, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
  8. 8School of Mathematics, Qld University of Technology
  1. Correspondence to:
 Joseph Debattista, 484 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia;
 joedebat{at}powerup.com.au
  • Accepted 7 March 2002

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections among an Australian high school adolescent population.

Methods: Over a 4 year period, 14 high schools were selected in which an infertility prevention programme targeting C trachomatis was delivered to senior student populations. Coded first catch urine specimens were analysed by Amplicor PCR and infected students treated. Data retrospectively obtained from chlamydia screening programmes conducted among disadvantaged young people detached from formal education were also collated for comparison.

Results: Of a total student test population of 1174, 15 (1.3%; 95% CI 0.7% to 2.1%) were diagnosed with C trachomatis. Of 516 females and 658 males, 12 (2.3%; 95% CI 1.1% to 4.1%) and 3 (0.5%; 95% CI 0.1% to 1.4%) were tested positive respectively. Data collated for three populations of disadvantaged youth returned at total of 89 C trachomatis infections out of 560 people (15.9% 95%CI 13.0–19.2%).

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infection among this population of senior high school adolescents is low, and significantly differs from the higher chlamydia rates detected in disadvantaged adolescents detached from formal schooling (p<0.0001).

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