Population attributable risk for chlamydia infection in a cohort of young international travellers (backpackers) and residents in Australia. Issue 1 (23rd February 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wand, Handan; Guy, Rebecca; Donovan, Basil; McNulty, Anna
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 1:Issue 1(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-02-23
• Subjects: Hepatitis C -- HIV -- HIV testing -- homosexuality -- infectious disease; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2010-000004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To estimate the population attributable risk (PAR) for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in young men and women in Sydney, Australia. Method: Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between demographic, sexual behaviour and other potential risk factors and chlamydia positivity in young (≤30 years) heterosexual international travellers (backpackers) and Australian residents attending a sexual health clinic. Point and interval estimates of PAR were calculated to quantify the proportion of chlamydia infections that can theoretically be prevented if a combination of risk factors is eliminated from a target population. Results: In males, the PAR associated with inconsistent condom use in the past 3 months was 65% (95% CI 56% to 71%) in backpackers compared to 50% (95% CI 41% to 56%) in non-backpackers and the PAR associated with reporting three or more female sexual partners in the past 3 months was similar between male backpackers and non-backpackers (33% (95% CI 28% to 40%) and 36% (95% CI 32% to 41%), respectively). In females, the PAR associated with inconsistent condom use in the past 3 months was 51% (95% CI 42% to 59%) in backpackers compared to 41% (95% CI 31% to 51%) in non-backpackers, and the PAR associated with reporting three or more male sexual partners in the past 3 months was 14% (95% CI 11% to 18%) in backpackers compared to 30% (95% CI 25% to 37%) in non-backpackers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the largest number of chlamydia infections could be avoided by increasing condom use, particularly in backpackers. Reporting multiple partners was also associated with a large proportion of infections and the risk associated with this behaviour should be considered in health promotion strategies.