An adolescent health forum at Sydney University will hear on Wednesday that an estimated one in ten sexually active teenagers has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with Chlamydia the most commonly reported notifiable condition in Australia.
Between 1999 and 2006, the number of Chlamydia notifications across Australia has more than tripled. The highest rates have consistently been among young people. In 2007 so far, notifications of Chlamydia among 15 – 24 year olds make up over 60% of all Chlamydia notifications.
Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is often called the ‘silent infection’ because most people do not realise they have it. It is easily treated however if undiagnosed can have serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Dr Melissa Kang, lecturer at the University of Sydney said, “Young people have good knowledge of HIV and AIDS but know less about Chlamydia and other STIs, which can pose more of a risk. Seventy-five percent of women and 50% of men with Chlamydia have no symptoms and could go undetected without a screening test.”
“Young Australians aged between 12 and 25 years are more sexually active at an earlier age and have more sexual partners than their parents and grandparents. We need to support GP’s and health care workers to take a more active role in discussing sexual health issues with adolescents”, Dr Kang said.
Incidence of Chlamydia is higher in remote areas of Australia with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people six times more likely to suffer from it.
Chlamydia screening, particularly among young adults, should become a routine health check to help reduce its incidence with less than 7 per cent of young women currently tested, said Dr Kang.
