According to recent research from the United States, 'Risk of gonorrheal (GC) and chlamydial (CT) infection is highly associated with age. rates typically are reported in 5-year categories.'
'Highest rates are seen consistently in the 15- to 19-year and 20- to 24-year age groups for both genders. It is not clear how aggregate, age-specific rates mask finer differences in risk by single age across and within racial/ethnic groups. California case-based surveillance data for 1998 through 2007 were used to calculate GC and CT rates by single age at diagnosis. The distribution of single gender and age-specific rates was compared with 5-year age-specific rates. Descriptive statistics for age by race/ethnicity were calculated, and trends over time were assessed. Female, single-age-specific GC and CT rates for 2007 increased strikingly during adolescence and then declined quickly. Male, single-age-specific GC rates declined more gradually than did CT rates. The rate for the aggregate 15- to 19-year-old age group fit the single-age rates poorly, particularly for females, who in 2007 had a peak rate at age 19 for GC (497 per 100,000) and for CT (3640 per 100,000), though the highest aggregate rate was for ages 20 to 24. Blacks had the youngest mean age for both GC and CT. Mean ages increased significantly from 1998 through 2007 for female GC and CT cases, as well as for male CT cases,' wrote H.S. Jacobs and colleagues (see also Chlamydia).
The researchers concluded: 'Age and race/ethnicity data should be examined in finer detail than the 5-year aggregate data, in order to target sexually transmitted disease prevention and control interventions more effectively.'
Jacobs and colleagues published their study in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (A Closer Look at Age: Deconstructing Aggregate Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Rates, California, 1998-2007. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2010;37(5):328-334).
For additional information, contact M.C. Samuel, California Dept. of Public Health, Surveillance & Epidemiology Sect, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, Division Communicable Diseases Control, Center Infectious Disease, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Bldg P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
Publisher contact information for the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Disease, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydiales, Female Genital Diseases, Female Urogenital Diseases, Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gynecology, Infectious Disease, Male Genital Diseases, Male Urogenital Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Virus Diseases, Women's Health's
This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Women's Health Weekly via NewsRx.com.
