Trends in testing and notification for genital gonorrhoea in a northern Australian district, 2004 - 2008

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiunn-Yih Su ◽  
John R. Condon
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Matching Method ◽  
Notification Rate ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Testing Data ◽  
Notification Data

Background The study aimed to examine the trends in notification and testing for genital gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) in the Darwin Remote District of Northern Territory, Australia, between 2004 and 2008. Methods: Using laboratory testing data and notification data, we calculated the annual sex- and age-specific notification rates, testing rates and positivity rates, and examined their trends. A deterministic matching method was used to identify unique individuals tested in order to estimate the number of years out of five in which each individual was tested. The correlation between testing rates and notification rates was calculated. Results: The notification rates for the 15–24 year age group increased sharply from 2004 to 2005, and then trended downwards between 2005 and 2008, with a decrease of 48.2% in females and 59.9% in males. No evident trends were found in testing rates. The positivity rates for this age group decreased by 46.3% in females (from 8.9% to 4.8%), and by 70.4% in males (from 10.8% to 3.2%) between 2004 and 2008. Over 76% of the population in this age-group had been tested at least once during the study period. A moderate correlation was found between notification rates and testing rates in both sexes. Conclusions: There was a significant decreasing trend in the notification rate of gonorrhoea between 2005 and 2008, which was most probably due to a decrease in prevalence. This study demonstrates the importance and utility of population-level testing data in understanding the epidemiology of common bacterial sexually transmissible infections such as gonorrhoea.

Tracking the uptake of outcomes of hepatitis B virus testing using laboratory data in Victoria, 2011–16: a population-level cohort study

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Caroline van Gemert ◽  
Wayne Dimech ◽  
Mark Stoove ◽  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
Jess Howell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Testing Data ◽  
Hepatitis B Testing

Background A priority area in the 2016 Victorian Hepatitis B Strategy is to increase diagnostic testing. This study describes hepatitis B testing and positivity trends in Victoria between 2011 and 2016 using data from a national laboratory sentinel surveillance system. Methods: Line-listed diagnostic and monitoring hepatitis B testing data among Victorian individuals were collated from six laboratories participating in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses. Diagnostic tests included hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-only tests and guideline-based hepatitis B tests (defined as a single test event for HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody). Using available data, the outcomes of testing and/or infection were further classified. Measures reported include the total number of HBsAg and guideline-based tests conducted and the proportion positive, classified as either HBsAg positive or chronic hepatitis B infection. Results: The number of HBsAg tests decreased slightly each year between 2011 and 2016 (from 91043 in 2011 to 79664 in 2016; P < 0.001), whereas the number of guideline-based hepatitis B tests increased (from 8732 in 2011 to 16085 in 2016; P <0.001). The proportion of individuals classified as having chronic infection decreased from 25% in 2011 to 7% in 2016, whereas the proportion classified as susceptible and immune due to vaccination increased (from 29% to 39%, and from 27% to 34%, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study findings indicate an increased uptake of guideline-based hepatitis B testing. The ongoing collection of testing data can help monitor progress towards implementation of the Victorian Hepatitis B Strategy.

Impact evaluation of a youth sexually transmissible infection awareness campaign using routinely collected data sources

Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Gold ◽  
Jane Goller ◽  
Margaret Hellard ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim ◽  
Jane Hocking ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Chlamydia Testing ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Routinely Collected Data ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Testing Data

Background Young people are at high risk of sexually transmissible infections (STI) and notifications of chlamydia are rising rapidly. In 2007, a Victorian multimedia campaign aimed to increase STI testing and condom use among 18–25-year-olds. We conducted a retrospective impact evaluation using multiple sources of routinely collected data. Methods: Population-level chlamydia testing data from general practice, chlamydia testing data from five government primary care clinics with a high caseload of young people, and behavioural data from an annual youth behavioural survey were analysed. Analyses included time-series regression to assess trends in testing levels, Kruskal–Wallis tests to assess changes in positivity, and χ2-tests to assess knowledge and behaviour change. Results: There was no significant difference in the slope of monthly chlamydia testing in population-level or clinic-based surveillance during the campaign compared with before or after the campaign, and no changes in chlamydia positivity. Between 2007 and 2008, there was a significant increase in STI knowledge among females (P < 0.01) and in the proportion of females reporting always using a condom with casual (P = 0.04) and new sexual partners (P < 0.01) in the annual behavioural survey. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the campaign had no impact on STI testing but may have contributed to an increase in knowledge and condom use among females; however, this increase could not be directly attributed to the campaign. Future campaigns targeting young people for STI testing should consider alternative messages and approaches, and include robust evaluation mechanisms to measure campaign impact prospectively.

scholarly journals Reliability and Validity of Facial Check Sheet (FCS): Checklist for Self-Satisfaction with Cosmetic Acupuncture

Medicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kuge ◽  
Hidetoshi Mori ◽  
Tim Hideaki Tanaka ◽  
Ryouta Tsuji
Keyword(s):  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Facial Skin ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Skin Rejuvenation ◽  
Facial Region ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Multiple Comparison Procedure ◽  
The Relationship

Background: In recent years, cosmetic acupuncture has gained popularity among individuals interested in improving their facial appearance. We have created an original facial check sheet (FCS) to obtain cosmetic acupuncture patients’ perspectives on treatment outcomes. This study examined the reliability and validity of FCS. Methods: We conducted an Internet survey on the appearance of the facial region among Japanese women. A reliability analysis was performed between each item of FCS. A multiple comparison procedure was used to determine the relationship between the age group, the FCS score, and the number of terms used in the open-ended question. Results: The most frequently stated concern was blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots (47.2%, n = 67). The FCS items showed reliability (Cronbach α = 0.871). The number of extracted terms and the FCS score showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.407; p < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between age and FCS score (p = 0.005, r2 = 0.255), which indicated that the FCS score increases with aging. Conclusions: The FCS can be used as a practical tool to evaluate facial appearances and assess satisfaction levels of patients who underwent cosmetic acupuncture or other facial skin rejuvenation procedures.

scholarly journals Decrease in Enteroviral Meningitis - An Unexpected Benefit of COVID-19 Mitigation?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kami D Kies ◽  
Amber S Thomas ◽  
Matthew J Binnicker ◽  
Kelli L Bashynski ◽  
Robin Patel
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Testing Data ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Enteroviral Meningitis

Abstract Enteroviral meningitis is seasonal, typically exhibiting a rise in prevalence in late summer/early fall. Based on clinical microbiology laboratory testing data of cerebrospinal fluid, the expected August/September/October peak in enteroviral meningitis did not occur in 2020, possibly related to COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

What would be missed if we didn’t screen men who have sex with men for oral chlamydia trachomatis? A cross-sectional study

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Loomba ◽  
Vickie Knight ◽  
Anna McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sex With Men

Background This study aimed to describe oropharyngeal chlamydia (OCT) in gay and bisexually active men (GBM) attending a large urban sexual health clinic in Sydney and determine what proportion of cases would be missed if screening was not routine. Methods: Retrospective data were extracted for all GBM with a positive OCT result between 1 October 2012 and 31 April 2014. The control group consisted of patients who had a negative OCT result on their first visit during the study period, and each patient was only counted once. Results: A total of 74 of 2920 GBM (0.03, 95% CI: 0.02–0.03) were diagnosed with OCT. The 2920 GBM had a total of 11 226 OCT tests performed, demonstrating OCT test positivity of 0.006 (95% CI: 0.005–0.008). A total of 62 sexually transmissible infections (STIs) were diagnosed at other sites: 34 rectal chlamydia (CT), 12 throat gonorrohea (GC), 7 urine CT, 7 rectal GC, 1 infectious syphilis and 1 non-gonoccal urethritis (NGU) case. Of the 74 OCT cases, 56 (0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.85) were treated with Azithromycin; 51 (69%) as part of standard treatment for their STI co-infection (34 rectal CT, 12 throat GC, 7 urine CT, 7 rectal GC, 1 NGU case) and a further five (7%) were treated as contacts. The remaining 18 people (0.24, 95% CI: 0.15–0.36) would not have been treated unless they were tested specifically for OCT. Conclusion: Overall, two-thirds of the OCT cases received appropriate treatment and only a small number of cases would have been missed had routine screening not been performed. With an extremely low overall test positivity of 0.6%, screening for OCT at our service adds little to population level health control.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal analysis of socio-economic characteristics for pulmonary tuberculosis in Sichuan province of China, 2006–2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Xia ◽  
Sui Zhu ◽  
Chuang Chen ◽  
Zheng-Yuan Rao ◽  
Yong Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Sichuan Province ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Spatial Clusters ◽  
Notification Rate ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
Temporal Model ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Temporal Interactions

Abstract Background The disease burden caused by pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Sichuan province still persisted at a high level, and large spatial variances were presented across regional distribution disparities. The socio-economic factors were suspected to affect the population of TB notification, we aimed to describe TB case notification rate (CNR) and identify which factors influence TB epidemic are necessary for the prevention and control of the disease in Sichuan province. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study and an ecological spatial analysis was conducted to quantify the presence and location of spatial clusters of TB by the Moran’s I index and examined these patterns with socio-economic risk factors by hierarchical Bayesian spatio-temporal model. Results A total of 630,009 pulmonary TB cases were notified from 2006 to 2015 in 181 counties of Sichuan province. The CNR decreased year by year since 2007, from 88.70 to 61.37 per 100,000 persons. The spatial heterogeneities of CNR were observed during the study periods. Global Moran’s I index varied from 0.23 to 0.44 with all P-value < 0.001. The Bayesian spatio-temporal model with parametric spatio-temporal interactions was chosen as the best model according to the minimum of Deviance Information Criterion (DIC)(19,379.01), and in which the quadratic form of time was taken. The proportion of age group and education year were all associated with CNR after adjusting the spatial effect, temporal effect and spatio-temporal interactions. TB CNR increased by 10.2% [95% credible interval (CI): 6.7–13.7%] for every 1-standard-deviation increase in proportion of age group and decreased by 23% (95% CI: 13.7–32.7%) for every 1-standard-deviation increase in education year. Conclusions There were spatial clusters of TB notification rate in Sichuan province from 2006 to 2015, and heavy TB burden was mainly attributed to aging and low socioeconomic status including poor education. Thus, it is more important to pay more attention to the elderly population and improve socioeconomic status including promoting education level in Sichuan province to reduce the TB burden.

scholarly journals Priorities for improved management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: analysis of cross-sectional continuous quality improvement data in Aboriginal primary healthcare centres in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith M. Katzenellenbogen ◽  
Daniela Bond-Smith ◽  
Anna P. Ralph ◽  
Mathilda Wilmot ◽  
Julie Marsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Transition ◽  
Continuous Quality ◽  
Transition Care ◽  
Rheumatic Heart

ObjectiveThis study investigated the delivery of guideline-recommended services for the management of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Australian primary healthcare centres participating in the Audit and Best Practice for Chronic Disease (ABCD) National Research Partnership project. MethodsARF and RHD clinical audit data were collected from 63 Aboriginal centres in four Australian jurisdictions using the ABCD ARF/RHD audit tool. Records of up to 30 patients treated for ARF and/or RHD were analysed per centre from the most recent audit conducted between 2009 and 2014. The main outcome measure was a quality of ARF and RHD care composite indicator consisting of nine best-practice service items. ResultsOf 1081 patients, most were Indigenous (96%), female (61%), from the Northern Territory and Queensland (97%) and &lt;25 years of age (49%). The composite indicator was highest in the 0–14 year age group (77% vs 65–67% in other age groups). Timely injections and provision of client education are important specific areas for improvement. Multiple regression showed age &gt;15 years to be a significant negative factor for several care indicators, particularly for the delivery of long-acting antibiotic injections and specialist services in the 15–24 year age group. ConclusionsThe results suggest that timely injection and patient education are priorities for managing ARF and RHD, particularly focusing on child-to-adult transition care. What is known about the topic?The burden of rheumatic fever and RHD in some Aboriginal communities is among the highest documented globally. Guideline-adherent RHD prevention and management in primary health care (PHC) settings are critically important to reduce this burden. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a proven strategy to improve guideline adherence, using audit cycles and proactive engagement of PHC end users with their own data. Previously, such CQI strategies using a systems approach were shown to improve delivery of ARF and RHD care in six Aboriginal health services (three government and three community controlled). What does this paper add?This paper focuses on the variation across age groups in the quality of ARF and/or RHD care according to nine quality of care indicators across 63 PHC centres serving the Aboriginal population in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. These new findings provide insight into difference in quality of care by life stage, indicating particular areas for improvement of the management of ARF and RHD at the PHC level, and can act as a baseline for monitoring of care quality for ARF and RHD into the future. What are the implications for practitioners?Management plans and innovative strategies or systems for improving adherence need to be developed as a matter of urgency. PHC professionals need to closely monitor adherence to secondary prophylaxis at both the clinic and individual level. RHD priority status needs to be assigned and recorded as a tool to guide management. Systems strengthening needs to particularly target child-to-adult transition care. Practitioners are urged to keep a quick link to the RHDAustralia website to access resources and guidelines pertaining to ARF and RHD (https://www.rhdaustralia.org.au/arf-rhd-guideline, accessed 3 October 2019). CQI strategies can assist PHC centres to improve the care they provide to patients.

Description of Total Population Hospital Admissions for Morton's Metatarsalgia in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Naraghi ◽  
Alan Bryant ◽  
Linda Slack-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Morton’S Metatarsalgia ◽  
Morton's Metatarsalgia

Background Morton's metatarsalgia is a painful perineural fibroma of a plantar nerve, most commonly of the second or third intermetatarsal spaces of the forefoot. The aim of this study was to investigate hospital admissions with a diagnosis of Morton's metatarsalgia in the Australian population from 1998 to 2008. Methods Data regarding admissions with a diagnosis code of ICD-10 G57.6 were extracted from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare databases of hospital morbidity from 1998 to 2008. The event of interest was an admission with ICD-10 G57.6 (Morton's metatarsalgia). The explanatory variables included sex and age group. Rates were calculated using the estimated resident population counts to determine denominators. Results Morton's metatarsalgia admissions were almost three-fold higher for women in the population compared to men. The rate of admissions for Morton's metatarsalgia was the highest for the total population in the 55- to 59-year-old age group. Among women admitted for Morton's metatarsalgia, the highest rate was in the 50- to 54-year-old age group; among men, the highest rate was in the slightly older 55- to 59-year-old age category. Conclusions Population-level information on admissions for Morton's metatarsalgia show that admissions were three times higher among women compared to men. The highest admission rate was in the 50- to 55-year-old age group.

scholarly journals Risk behaviours by type of concurrency among young people in three STI clinics in the United States

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Hess ◽  
Pamina M. Gorbach ◽  
Lisa E. Manhart ◽  
Bradley P. Stoner ◽  
David H. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
African American ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Concurrent Sexual Partnerships ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
African American Race

Background Concurrent sexual partnerships can increase sexually transmissible infections (STI) transmission on a population level. However, different concurrency types may be associated with differential risks for transmission. To investigate this, we describe the prevalence and correlates of four specific concurrency types. Methods: Between 2001 and 2004, 1098 young adults attending three STI clinics were interviewed and tested for STIs. Characteristics associated with concurrency types were identified using logistic regression. Results: Approximately one-third of respondents reported reactive (34%), transitional (36%), compensatory (32%) and experimental (26%) concurrency. Among men, reactive concurrency was associated with not identifying as heterosexual, drug use and having sex the same day as meeting a partner. Among women, reactive concurrency was associated with African-American race and having >3 lifetime partners. Transitional concurrency was associated with >3 lifetime partners for men and women. Among men, compensatory concurrency was associated with African-American race; among women, there were no associations with compensatory concurrency. Among men, experimental concurrency was associated with >3 lifetime partners and having sex the same day as meeting a partner. Among women, experimental concurrency was associated with not identifying as heterosexual, drug use and having sex the same day as meeting a partner. Conclusions: All concurrency types were common in this population and each was associated with a set of demographic and risk factors. Reactive and experimental concurrency types were associated with other high-risk behaviours, such as drug use.

scholarly journals The Evolution of the WHO/NREVSS Influenza Surveillance System: The Challenges and Opportunities that Accompany Electronic Laboratory Data

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree Mustaquim
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
The Public ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Testing Data ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Laboratory Surveillance ◽  
Over Time

The WHO/NREVSS Influenza laboratory surveillance system has been in use for ~40 years. Through multiple reporting methods, partner labs can share their influenza laboratory testing data to the Influenza Divsion at CDC. Over time, this system has evolved in complexity, and the most recent enhancement has been the addition of HL7 laboratory messaging through the Public Health Laboratory Interoperability Project. This reporting has been challenging to implement, but  has added great value to the system, including an increased potential for new data analyses, increased functionality, and a braoder use of the resulting data.

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