Do we need to worry about sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in older women in Australia? An investigation of STI trends between 2000 and 2018
- 1 January 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Sexual Health
- Vol. 17 (6), 517-524
- https://doi.org/10.1071/sh20130
Abstract
Background This study examined trends in chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnosis, and chlamydia testing and positivity, among older women in Australia between 2000 and 2018. Methods: Using national notifiable disease data and Medicare data, diagnosis rates were calculated for each sexually transmissible infection (STI), as well as testing and positivity rates for chlamydia. Data were compared between two older groups (55–64 and 65–74 years) and two younger groups (15–24 and 25–34 years). Poisson regression examined trends for 2000–18 and 2014–18 separately. Results: Rates for all STIs increased across all age groups and were highest in the two youngest age groups. From 2014 to 2018, chlamydia rates increased the most among those aged 55–64 years [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.02–1.10] and declined in those aged 15–24 years (IRR = 0.99; 95%CI: 0.99–0.99). Gonorrhoea rates increased the most among those aged 65–74 years (IRR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.23–1.77) and least in those aged 15–24 years (IRR = 1.12; 95%CI: 1.10–1.13). Syphilis rates increased the most among those aged 55–64 years (IRR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.25–1.99) and least in those aged 15–24 years (IRR = 1.29; 95%CI: 1.23–1.35). Chlamydia test positivity declined among younger women but remained stable in older women. Conclusions: In general, STIs are increasing among older women in Australia at a faster rate than among younger women. Although the greatest burden is among younger women, STIs need to be considered and monitored among older women.Keywords
This publication has 58 references indexed in Scilit:
- STI epidemiology in the global older population: emerging challengesPerspectives in Public Health, 2012
- Sex, Menopause and Social ContextJournal of Health Psychology, 2010
- Contribution of sexually transmitted infections to the sexual transmission of HIVCurrent Opinion in HIV and AIDS, 2010
- Sexual behaviour and diagnosis of people over the age of 50 attending a sexual health clinicAustralasian Journal on Ageing, 2009
- Trends in sexually transmitted infections (other than HIV) in older people: analysis of data from an enhanced surveillance systemSexually Transmitted Infections, 2008
- Sex and the ‘recently single’: perceptions of sexuality and HIV risk among mature women and primary care physiciansCulture, Health & Sexuality, 2008
- A Study of Sexuality and Health among Older Adults in the United StatesThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2007
- "Opening a can of worms": GP and practice nurse barriers to talking about sexual health in primary careFamily Practice, 2004
- Factors predicting sexual relationships in older people: an Australian studyAustralasian Journal on Ageing, 2004
- General practitioner attitudes to discussing sexual health issues with older peopleSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2004