The Contribution of Reinfections to Chlamydia Resurgence, Sexual Networks, and Spatial Clustering in Brant County, Ontario

Abstract

Recent findings by Public Health Ontario (PHO) state that there were approximately 36, 346 confirmed cases of chlamydia in Ontario as of 2011. This represents an incidence rate that increased by 54% since 2006 rising from 177 to 272 per 100,000 in 2011. National rates only increased by 38% (210 to 290 per 100,000), meaning that Brant County rates surpassed both, increasing by over 100% (150 to 395 per 100,000). The main objective of this series of manuscripts is to develop a clear profile of re-infected individuals in comparison to non-repeaters, while considering co-infections wit gonorrhea. The secondary objective was to determine the sexual network as well as spatial distribution patterns of cases in Brant County. The study period is from January 1st, 2006 until December 31st, 2015, Data were extracted from the integrated public health information system (iPHIS). Basic descriptive statistics will be performed followed by a Cox-regression analysis in order to compare individuals who are repeaters with those who are not repeaters. Within the study period, there were 2,829 cases of chlamydia and 328 were reinfections. We identified twelve hotspots with high chlamydia infection rates of which, 58 per cent occurred within the previously identified core group, in the urban core of Brant County.