A Communicable Disease In Victoria

A Communicable Disease In Victoria

Chlamydia is a bacterial disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is a very common sexually transmitted disease that can cause long term complications in females. In pregnancy, the infected mother may bring severe adverse outcome to the newborn. The infection is very common in sexually active individuals and among those who opt for multiple partnerships or relationships. The symptoms are not very evident in the majority of the infected people, however in that stage the disease can be easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy individual. The recurrence of the disease is very common if the infected person is not treated and does not follow the complete antimicrobial therapy. Chlamydia infection of the genital origin remains asymptomatic is approximately 70% of the women (Australian Government, 2013) and 25% of men show no symptoms of the infection (Vorvick, 2010).

Prevalence & Incidence

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection which causes major health issues in developed countries including Australia. The diagnoses of the disease in Australia in 2009 were over 62, 000 cases reported. The rates in the diagnosis of the infection are still over an inclining trend in both the Aboriginal and non-indigenous, as well as Torres Strait Islander populace. The prevalence of the disease also varies according to geographical distribution and the Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal individuals living in major cities including Victoria was 3.5 times more in 2009 as compared to the non-indigenous population living in the same locations. The similar population groups living in the remote areas of Victoria and other major cities showed 7 times more incidence rates as compared to non-indigenous people (Australian Government, 2013).

Genital Chlamydial infection became a notifiable disease in Australian region in 1991 covering many states and territories. The rate continues to rise over the past decade, and it was most common among the young people living indigenous Australians (Lewis et.al, 2012). Chlamydia infection has now become a major health issue and produced long term health concerns particularly experienced by Australian women. The chronic problems associated with the bacterial infection are infertility in females, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic pain. In rare cases, males are also affected by the infection causing infertility. In Victoria, it is identified as one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease affecting both the gender equally. Since 1990's the annual number of reported cases, each year doubles in number. 75% of the reported and identified cases are individuals less than the age of 30 years. The prevalence of the chlamydial infection in Australia is estimated to be 2.5, the occurrence rate is 14% in patients coming to sexually transmitted disease clinics, 5% cases reported in family planning and 15% in sex workers. The cure rate is just limited to 7.4% with the recurrence rate is very high (Department of Health, Victoria, 2007).

Who is affected?

Chlamydia can affect both men and women and easily pass by unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex with an infected ...