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- Veličko, Inga, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in the trend of sexually acquired chlamydia infections in Sweden and the role of testing : a time series analysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Sexually Transmitted Diseases. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0148-5717 .- 1537-4521. ; 48:5, s. 329-334
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background We investigated the notification trends of sexually acquired chlamydia (chlamydia) and its association with testing in Sweden before (1992–2004) and after (2009–2018) the discovery of a new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCT).Methods We applied monthly time series analysis to study chlamydia trends and annual time series to study chlamydia rates adjusted for testing. We analyzed incidence nationally and by county group (based on able and unable to detect nvCT at time of discovery).Results We present data on 606,000 cases of chlamydia and 9.9 million persons tested. We found a U-shaped chlamydia trend during the period 1992–2004, with an overall increase of 83.7% from 1996 onward. The period 2009–2018 began with a stable trend at a high incidence level followed by a decrease of 19.7% during the period 2015–2018. Peaks were seen in autumn and through during winter and summer. Similar results were observed by groups of county, although with varying levels of increase and decrease in both periods. Furthermore, increased testing volume was associated with increased chlamydia rates during the first period (P = 0.019) but not the second period.Conclusions Our results showed that chlamydia trends during the period 2009–2018 were not driven by testing, as they were during the period 1992–2004. This suggests less biased notified chlamydia rates and thus possibly a true decrease in chlamydia incidence rates. It is important to adjust case rates for testing intensity, and future research should target other potential factors influencing chlamydia rates.
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| 2. |
- Velicko, Inga, et al.
(författare)
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Patterns of sexual behaviour associated with repeated chlamydia testing and infection in men and women : a latent class analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1471-2458. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Adolescents and young adults are at higher risk of acquiring Chlamydia trachomatis infection (chlamydia), so testing is promoted in these populations. Studies have shown that re-testing for chlamydia is common amongst them. We investigated how sexual risk behaviour profiles are associated with repeated testing for chlamydia. Methods We used baseline data from a cohort of 2814 individuals recruited at an urban STI -clinic. We applied latent class (LC) analysis using 9 manifest variables on sexual behaviour and substance use self-reported by the study participants. We fitted ordered logistic regression to investigate the association of LC membership with the outcomes repeated testing during the past 12 months and lifetime repeated testing for chlamydia. Models were fit separately for men and women. Results We identified four LCs for men and three LCs for women with increasing gradient of risky sexual behaviour. The two classes with the highest risk among men were associated with lifetime repeated testing for chlamydia: adjOR = 2.26 (95%CI: 1.50-3.40) and adjOR = 3.03 (95%CI: 1.93-4.74) as compared with the class with lowest risk. In women, the class with the highest risk was associated with increased odds of repeated lifetime testing (adjOR =1.85 (95%CI: 1.24-2.76)) and repeated testing during past 12 months (adjOR = 1.72 (95%CI: 1.16-2.54)). An association with chlamydia positive test at the time of the study and during the participant's lifetime was only found in the male highest risk classes. Conclusion Prevention messages with regard to testing for chlamydia after unprotected sexual contact with new/casual partners seem to reach individuals in highest risk behaviour classes who are more likely to test repeatedly. Further prevention efforts should involve potentially more tailored sex-specific interventions taking into consideration risk behaviour patterns.
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| 3. |
- Velicko, Inga, et al.
(författare)
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Sexual and testing behaviour associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection : a cohort study in an STI clinic in Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 6:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Genital chlamydia infection (chlamydia) is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Sweden. To guide prevention needs, we aimed to investigate factors associated with chlamydia. Methods: A cohort of visitors aged 20-40 years at an urban STI clinic in Sweden was recruited. Behavioural data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Self-sampled specimens were tested for chlamydia by a DNA amplification assay. Statistically significant (p<0.05) and epidemiologically relevant covariates were entered in a multivariate Poisson model adjusted for potential confounders (age and gender). Backward stepwise elimination produced a final model. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing values. Results: Out of 2814 respondents, 1436 were men with a chlamydia positivity rate of 12.6% vs 8.9% in women. Lifetime testing for chlamydia and HIV was high (82% and 60%, respectively). Factors significantly associated with chlamydia were: 20-24 years old (adjusted risk ratio (ARR)=2.10, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.65); testing reason: contact with a chlamydia case (ARR=6.55, 95% CI 4.77 to 8.98) and having symptoms (ARR=2.19, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.24); 6-10 sexual partners (ARR=1.53, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.21); last sexual activity 'vaginal sex and oral sex and anal sex and petting' (ARR=1.84, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.10); alcohol use before sex (ARR=1.98, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.57); men with symptoms (ARR=2.09, 95% CI 1.38 to 3.18); tested for chlamydia (ARR=0.72, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.94). Conclusions: Risk factors associated with chlamydia were consistent with previous reports in similar settings and suggest no major changes over time. Increased risk for chlamydia infection associated with high-risk behaviour (eg, alcohol use, increased number of sexual partners) supports the need for behavioural interventions in this population such as promotion of safer sex behaviour (condom use) and testing.
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