Nowhere near the point of diminishing returns: Correlations between chlamydia testing and notification rates in New South Wales

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between chlamydia testing and chlamydia detection rates in New South Wales, Australia, from 1999 to 2001. Methods: Correlations between population-based chlamydia testing and notification rates - stratified by age group, area of residence, and year - were determined by linear regression. Results: Strong positive correlations between chlamydia testing and notification rates were observed for both women (r=0.91, p<0.001) and men (r=0.94, p<0.001). Between 1999 and 2001, the chlamydia test positivity rate increased from 4.3% to 7.3% for women (p<0.0001) and from 7.8% to 10.5% for men (P<0.0001). Conclusions and implications: This study suggests that Australia could benefit from a major chlamydia screening program.