Sociodemography of genital Chlamydia trachomatis in Coventry, UK, 1992-6

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Abstract
Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and geographic risk factors for incident Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection. Design: Cross sectional retrospective study of cases diagnosed in local genitourinary clinics. Setting: Coventry, West Midlands, from 1992 to 1996. Subjects: 582 female and 620 male Coventry residents aged 15–64 years diagnosed with one or more episodes of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection by enzyme immunoassay. Subjects were assigned a Townsend deprivation score based on residence. The denominator population aged 15–64 years was derived from 1991 census data. Results: The mean annual incidence of genital chlamydia was 151 episodes (95% CI 140–163) per 100 000 population in men and 138 episodes (95% CI 128–149) per 100 000 population in women. Highest subgroup incidence was observed in 15–19 year old black women (2367 (95% CI 1370–4560) per 100 000), and 20–24 year old black men (1951 (95% CI 1158–3220) per 100 000). In univariate analyses, the most important risk factor for chlamydia infection in males was being black (incidence 1377 (95% CI 1137–1652) per 100 000 for black v 133 (95% CI 122–145) per 100 000 for white; RR 10.4, pv 52 (95% CI 45–60) per 100 000 for age group 25–64 years; RR 9.1, pConclusions: There is a complex interaction between geographical location, age, ethnic group, and social deprivation on the risk of acquiring genital Chlamydia trachomatis in Coventry. Better population based data are needed.