Which Albertans get chlamydia the most? Health data reveals trends
原始发布日期： 2016-04-26 发布者：李方字变大 字变小
SW Calgary and NE Edmonton have the highest rates within those cities, Grande Prairie leads province Chlamydia rates have been on the rise in Alberta as a whole, but there are some significant differences in infection rates by region and age. (CBC) Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been on the rise in Alberta and, despite a recent spike in gonorrhea and syphilis rates, chlamydia remains the most likely disease to catch if you're having unprotected sex. But the distribution of chlamydia infection varies widely based on age and geography. The following graphs show the demographic trends of chlamydia from 2010 to 2014 — the last five years from which Alberta Health has published full data sets. Grande Prairie edges out Red DeerAmong Alberta's two biggest cities, Edmonton has historically had higher chlamydia rates than Calgary.But factor in the province's other major cities, and you see a different pattern. Red Deer used to have the highest rates but has since been outpaced by Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. Click on a year to change the data displayed by the interactive graph: Alberta Chlamydia Rates by City Create column charts Highest rates in S.W. Calgary...Within the Calgary and Edmonton health zones, the data breaks down even further, with different rates for different parts of each city.Alberta Health bases the geographic information on the registered postal code of patients. As you can see, people in southwest Calgary tend to have a significantly higher chlamydia rate than their fellow citizens. Chlamydia Rates Calgary Create column charts ...and in N.E. EdmontonSimilarly in Edmonton, the northeast has historically seen the highest chlamydia rates, and by a wide margin.That disparity spiked in 2012, when northeast Edmonton had more than triple the rate of any other part of the city. Chlamydia rates have since declined in the northeast, while rising in the rest of the city. Chlamydia Rates Edmonton Create column charts Peak rates at age 20 to 24Perhaps not surprisingly, chlamydia rates are strongly correlated with age, with teens and young adults having the highest rates of any age group.Albertans aged 20 to 24, in particular, have the highest rate, and that has grown each and every year for the past five years on record. Other age groups have also seen increases, however. Between 2010 and 2014, for example, the chlamydia rate grew by 58.6 per cent among 40-to-44-year-olds and and 70.5 per cent among 45-to-49-year-olds. Alberta Chlamydia Rates by Age Create column charts To combat the STI trend, Alberta Health Services plans to "step up its awareness and outreach efforts," according to medical officer of health Dr. Gerry Predy. "The effects of untreated STIs can extend to other sexual partners or babies of infected pregnant women," Predy said. "Although many STIs can be treated and cured, if left untreated they can result in serious health impacts and long-term implications." AHS has also expanded STI clinic hours in Edmonton and Calgary and will continue to promote its website — www.sexgerms.com — and related social-media campaigns to raise awareness and encourage Albertans to get tested. |