[Chlamydia infections in South Trøndelag--treatment and follow-up].

BACKGROUND:According to Norwegian guidelines, infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis should be treated rapidly with antibiotics and a control test should be offered after 5-6 weeks. The purpose of the present registry study was to investigate Chlamydia treatment and the use of control tests among men and women tested for Chlamydia in South Trøndelag county in the period 2004-2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Data on all Chlamydia tests from men and women 15-59 years of age resident in South Trøndelag County were retrieved from the Department of Medical Microbiology at St. Olavs Hospital. Information about Norwegian pharmacies' handling of prescriptions for antibiotics were obtained from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD). RESULTS:8.5% (3,127/36 590) of those tested for Chlamydia in the study period were positive. Among those who were positive 87% (1,681/1 920) of women and 74% (909/1,207) of men bought antibiotics from a pharmacy within 4 weeks after the test was analyzed. The average time from available test result to treatment was 13.1 days (95% CI 12.7-13.5). Among those who received antibiotics, 41% (689/1,681) of women and 27% (247/909) of men were registered with a control test 4-16 weeks after the prescription was handled. INTERPRETATION:Compliance to guidelines for treatment and follow-up of people with a positive Chlamydia test is poor, especially among men.