P199 Are we testing in the right locations? use of public health mapping to investigate young people, chlamydia and socioeconomic status. (8th June 2017) - Cousins, Darren
Abstract : Introduction: Chlamydia testing is universal and routine in all local sexual health clinics. Projected local population increases and expansion of the university sector necessitate the appraisal of current services and future planning to meet population need. Objective: To investigate whether the current locations of Chlamydia testing services match areas of high need. Method: We obtained data from the Sexual Health in Wales Surveillance Scheme (SWS) on Chlamydia diagnoses in integrated sexual health clinics by middle super output area (MSOA) of residence for patients living in our local area. Mapping software is used to overlay Chlamydia testing behaviour and positivity against locations of FE colleges, STI testing clinics, areas of high deprivation and areas with a high proportion of young residents. Results: Between 2012 and 2016, 3, 450 chlamydia diagnoses were recorded in Cardiff and Vale residents. The maps suggest that Chlamydia diagnoses were most common in areas usually habited by students. Furthermore, mapping fifths of deprivation suggested lower rates of Chlamydia in the more deprived areas, despite more testing venues. Discussion: The maps suggest University students are frequent testers and have a high positivity for Chlamydia whereas those from more deprived areas have lower rates for Chlamydia. This descriptive analysis suggests that local chlamydia testing services may not be mapped to populations at greatest need. This association is difficult to measure without a robust statistical test and more analysis is needed to quantify the association. Alternative testing paradigms outside clinic settings could help manage demand on clinical services.