Gonorrhoea testing and positivity in non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

Harrod, Mary Ellen, Couzos, Sophie, Ward, James, Saunders, Mark, Donovan, Basil, Hammond, Belinda, Delaney-Thiele, Dea, Belfrage, Mary, Williams, Sid, Smith, Lucy Watchirs, and Kaldor, John (2017) Gonorrhoea testing and positivity in non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. Sexual Health, 14 (4). pp. 320-324.

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DOI: 10.1071/SH16046

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH16046

Abstract

Background: Gonorrhoea occurs at high levels in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities, but there are limited data on urban and regional settings. An analysis was undertaken of gonorrhoea testing and positivity at four non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services participating in a collaborative research network.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical encounter data derived from electronic medical records at participating services. Data were extracted using the GRHANITE program for all patients aged 15-54 years from 2009 to 2013. Demographic characteristics and testing and positivity for gonorrhoea were calculated for each year.

Results: A total of 2971 patients (2571 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) were tested for gonorrhoea during the study period. Among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients, 40 (1.6%) tested positive. Gonorrhoea positivity was associated with clinic location (higher in the regional clinic) and having had a positive chlamydia test. By year, the proportion of patients aged 15-29 years tested for gonorrhoea increased in both men (7.4% in 2009 to 15.9% in 2013) and women (14.8% in 2009 to 25.3% in 2013). Concurrent testing for chlamydia was performed on 86.3% of testing occasions, increasing from 75% in 2009 to 92% in 2013. Factors related to concurrent testing were sex and year of test.

Conclusions: The prevalence of gonorrhoea among young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in non-remote settings suggests that the current approach of duplex testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea simultaneously is justified, particularly for women.


Item ID:	49880
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1449-8987
Keywords:	sexually transmitted infections, gonorrhoea, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Aboriginal community controlled health services, quality improvement, assurance, audit, screening, positivity, chlamydia, remote, urban, Medicare
Funders:	National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2017 03:56
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450406 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander epidemiology @ 30% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420304 General practice @ 40% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420605 Preventative health care @ 30%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health Status and Outcomes @ 30% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920114 Reproductive System and Disorders @ 20%
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