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

In Brief Objective: 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. Goal: The goal of this study was to obtain data for recommendations regarding CT screening. Study Design: Laboratory data on CT tests for persons 15 to 24 years old were retrieved and analyzed. Results: 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. Conclusions: More men and more female teenagers need to be tested. Repeat testing is particularly important among people who have been diagnosed with CT. Twenty-one percent of men and 85% of women in Norway had been tested for Chlamydia trachomatis by the age of 25 years, and 15% of the female population had had a chlamydial infection.