Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most commonly notified sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia, with over 40,000 infections notified in 2005.  Infection with chlamydia can have considerable complications, particularly for women – it is a leading cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility.  Up to 85% of people with infection do not have any symptoms, so are unaware they have chlamydia; yet chlamydia is easy to diagnose with self collected specimens and simple to treat with single dose antibiotics.  Over 65% of infections diagnosed in women are among those aged 15 to 24 years. 

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing recently announced funding for a chlamydia screening pilot program.  Several questions must be asked regarding the development of this screening program including who to screen and the optimal screening frequency – for example should it be annual or every two years. 

The School of Population Health, University of Melbourne in collaboration with Family Planning Victoria, Royal Women’s Hospital, National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Sexual Health Centre and Southern Cross University, has secured funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to investigate the optimal screening interval for chlamydia among young Australian women.  This longitudinal study with a 12 month follow up period will estimate the incidence and re-infection rate of chlamydia among young Australian women.  A representative sample of 1,400 Australian women aged 16 to 25 years will be recruited from general practices, sexual health centres and family planning clinics, both rural and urban, in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.  Women will be followed up over a 12 month period and will be regularly tested for chlamydia using self-collected vaginal swabs mailed through standard mail. 

Further information about this study contact ciris@mshc.org.au or 1800 082 820.