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Health Indicator Report of Chlamydia Cases

Infections caused by the bacterium ''Chlamydia trachomatis'' are among the most frequently reported notifiable disease in Utah, with 10,484 cases reported in 2020. Almost sixty percent of the reported cases were among persons between 15 and 24 years of age. The overall rate for chlamydia in Utah in 2020 was 322.6 cases per 100,000 persons. Females with chlamydia are at risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and both men and women may become infertile as a result of untreated chlamydia. Untreated chlamydia infections can damage the reproductive systems of both males and females. Susceptibility to more serious infections such as HIV also increases when an individual is infected with chlamydia. In addition, pregnant women with chlamydia can pass the infection to their infant during delivery, potentially resulting in pneumonia or neonatal ophthalmia.

Chlamydia, Utah and U.S., 1992-2020

Notes

Rates were calculated by dividing the number of cases for each year by the total population within that year and multiplying by 100,000. Prior to 2009, Utah rates were calculated using the morbidity report date; effective 2009, rates were calculated using the date of diagnosis. At the time of writing, U.S. STD Surveillance Data for 2020 was not yet available.

Data Sources

  • Population Estimates: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau, IBIS Version 2020
  • The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Epidemiology
  • National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Data Interpretation Issues

Reported chlamydia rates are calculated by dividing the number of cases within the population of interest by the total number of persons within that population, then multiplying by 100,000. It should be noted that rates within small populations are volatile; a small change in the number of cases can noticeably change the rate. This change may look significant, but, statistically, it may not be. Caution is strongly recommended when interpreting small case numbers and rates.

Definition

Rate of newly reported cases of chlamydia by date of diagnosis per 100,000 persons.

Numerator

Number of newly reported cases of chlamydia by date of diagnosis.

Denominator

Number of persons in Utah.

Healthy People Objective STD-1:

Reduce the proportion of adolescents and young adults with ''Chlamydia trachomatis'' infections
U.S. Target: Not applicable, see subobjectives in this category

Other Objectives

Related Healthy People 2020 Objectives STD-1: Reduce the proportion of adolescents and young adults with ''Chlamydia trachomatis'' infections among:[[br]] * STD-1.1: Females aged 15 to 24 years attending family planning clinics * STD-1.2: Females aged 24 years and under-enrolled in a National Job Training Program * STD-1.3: Males aged 24 years and under-enrolled in a National Job Training Program [[br]] STD-3: Increase the proportion of sexually active females aged 24 years and under-enrolled in Medicaid plans who are screened for genital Chlamydia infections during the measurement year among: * STD-3.1: Females aged 16 to 20 years * STD-3.2: Females aged 21 to 24 years [[br]] STD-4: Increase the proportion of sexually active females aged 24 years and under-enrolled in commercial health insurance plans who are screened for genital Chlamydia infections during the measurement year among: * STD-4.1: Females aged 16 to 20 years * STD-4.2: Females aged 21 to 24 years [[br]] STD-5: Reduce the proportion of females aged 15 to 44 years who have ever required treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

How Are We Doing?

Chlamydia rates in Utah have typically increased during the past twenty years, with the exception of slight decreases in 2004 (2.7%), 2013 (2.9%), and 2020 (6.7%). The overall rate increase can be attributed to increased screening efforts, the use of increasingly sensitive diagnostic testing, efforts to increase reporting by providers and laboratories, and improved information systems for reporting. Such increased rates can be interpreted as an advancement in disease control as more infections are identified and treated, providing an opportunity to intervene in the spread of infection. Chlamydial infections in both men and women are commonly asymptomatic, yet screenings occur more often among females, resulting in higher rates of reported infections among females. However, with the increased availability of urine testing, men are increasingly being tested for chlamydial infection. Over the past 10 years in Utah, the chlamydia rate in men increased by 48.2% as compared to a 27.3% increase in women over this period.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Chlamydial infections are the most frequently reported notifiable disease in the U.S., with 1,808,703 cases reported in 2019*. Of these reported chlamydia infections, 61.0% were among those 15 to 24 years of age. The overall rate for chlamydia in the U.S. in 2019* was 552.8 cases per 100,000 persons. The chlamydia rate in Utah is significantly lower than the U.S. rate. In 2019*, the chlamydia rate in Utah ranked 46th in the nation. (CDC. [https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/tables/2.htm], 2019) In Utah in 2020, persons aged 20 to 24 years reported the highest rates of chlamydia in both males and females. The rate for females in this age group in Utah in 2020 was 1,980.1 cases per 100,000 persons compared with 4,109.5 cases per 100,000 persons in the U.S. in 2019*. The rate for males aged 20 to 24 years in Utah in 2020 was 854.9 per 100,000 persons compared with 1,871.5 cases per 100,000 persons in the U.S. in 2019*. (CDC. [https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/tables/10.htm], 2019) *At the time of writing, U.S. STD Surveillance Data for 2020 was not yet available.

What Is Being Done?

Persons who test positive for chlamydia are confidentially interviewed by a disease intervention specialist from their local health department to educate the patient, ensure proper treatment, and to obtain sexual partner information for follow up. This process helps prevent diagnosed individuals from spreading the infection and the patient from becoming reinfected. The Utah Department of Health HIV and STD Prevention and Surveillance Program, along with local health departments, currently provide STD (sexually transmitted disease) presentations upon request to a variety of organizations, agencies, and facilities.

Available Services

Local health districts have STD (sexually transmitted disease) clinics located at their local health department(s) where individuals can be tested and treated for STDs at minimal or no cost. Planned Parenthood has locations throughout Utah that also provide STD services at minimal cost. Condoms are available at these locations. STD presentations are available through the Utah Department of Health upon request. The Utah Department of Health also has educational pamphlets available. The Utah Minor's Consent Law allows adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17 years to be tested and treated for an STD without the consent of a parent.
Page Content Updated On 10/19/2021, Published on 01/13/2022
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 28 March 2024 9:04:11 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Tue, 15 Nov 2022 08:47:42 MST