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Narrative
The age-standardized chlamydia incidence rate indicator estimates the total number of reported chlamydia cases per 100,000 population.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Canada. 108 If left untreated in women, it can cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to ectopic pregnancies, infertility, and septicaemia. In men, untreated infections can cause inflammation of the testicles and prostate which can also lead to infertility. 109
Public health units play a significant role in the prevention and management of STIs through the programs and services they provide. These programs and services include:
- promoting healthy sexuality
- providing sexual health clinical services
- providing testing and counselling for STIs
- providing case and contact management of STI cases
- providing treatment for Chlamydia at no cost to the client
Individuals infected with one STI are at a higher risk of contracting another STI, including HIV. By improving counselling, screening, diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia, public health units can help decrease new cases of other STIs.
The highest incidence rate of chlamydia infections is found in young adults aged 15-24. 108 In recent years, the number of reported cases has been increasing. While this reflects a real increase in infection rates, it is also believed to reflect an increase in partner notification, expanded screening efforts and improved diagnostic testing.
In 2007, the incidence rate of reported chlamydia cases in Ontario was 219.8 per 100,000 population. Based on 36 public health units in Ontario, the highest incidence rate of reported chlamydia cases was 678.9 and the lowest incidence rate of reported of chlamydia cases was 78.9, per 100,000 population.
Indicator Definition
Definition:
The age-standardized chlamydia incidence rate indicator estimates the total number of reported chlamydia cases per 100,000 population.
Data Source(s):
| Numerator: |
Integrated Public Health Information System, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
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| Denominator: |
Provincial Health Planning Database, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
Formula:
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Total number of new reported cases of chlamydia (2007 calendar year)
Total population (2007 calendar year) |
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x 100,000 |
Notes:
- Data was extracted on February 3, 2009 from iPHIS.
- Age groups in years used for direct age-standardization: <10, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+
- Direct age-standardization to the 1991 Canadian population
Data
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