학술논문
C. trachomatisand N. gonorrhoeaesurveillance in New Zealand: comparison of laboratory and clinic data
Document Type
Article
Source
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health; August 2001, Vol. 25 Issue: 4 p368-370, 3p
Subject
Language
ISSN
13260200; 17536405
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the extent to which clinic‐based sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance under‐represents the number of laboratory‐confirmed cases of Chlamydia trachomatisand Neisseria gonorrhoeaein the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand; and to estimate incidence rates for these two infections. Methods: Data on C. trachomatisand N. gonorrhoeaewere collected from diagnostic laboratories in the study regions for the year 2000, and compared with routine clinic‐based STI surveillance data. Results: Most laboratory‐confirmed C. trachomatis(65.5%) and N. gonorrhoeae(55.7%) infections were diagnosed by healthcare providers outside the clinic‐based STI surveillance system. The estimated incidence rate for C. trachomatiswas 501 per 100,000, and 50 per 100,000 for N. gonorrhoeae. Conclusions and implications: Laboratory surveillance of C. trachomatisand N. gonorrhoeaeprovides a more complete picture of disease burden. Given the high infection rates reported, developing a national strategy for the management of STIs should be a public health priority in New Zealand.