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The Northwest Tribal 1997-1998 Year End   Chlamydia Surveillance Report

The Stop! Chlamydia Project, is administered by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) and the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (The EpiCenter), a tribally operated epidemiology program located within NPAIHB, directs the project.  In collaboration with CDC, the IHS Headquarters West Epidemiology program, and Northwest Indian tribes of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, this project aims to obtain comprehensive information about CT infection within Northwest American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.  In addition, this project is designed to provide technical assistance to Northwest tribes to support their chlamydia and STD prevention efforts.

Currently there are eleven Indian health care programs located within the Portland Area that participate in this project (Chehalis, Colville, Lummi, Neah Bay, Nisqually, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Umatilla, Warm Springs, Wellpinit and Yakima).  To participate in this project, there are two forms to be completed and submitted each quarter to the Project Specialist: 1) the Chlamydia Surveillance Form, to be completed by a designated health care worker to document each CT case diagnosis, and 2) the Azithromycin Distribution and Order Form (ADOF), to be completed by the pharmacist to track the amount of medication being used for CT treatment and to order the medication.  The Chlamydia Surveillance Form is completed for each newly diagnosed case of CT and collects information on 1) patient demographics; 2) reason for medical visit; 3) symptoms presented by patient; 4) treatment activities; and 5) follow-up activities.  In exchange for this information, The EpiCenter distributes medication (free of charge) to Northwest tribes for the treatment of CT.

Analysis

This is the year end report (1997-1998) for the Stop! Chlamydia Project. The information used for this report was derived from the Chlamydia Surveillance Forms that were completed by designated staff from participating Northwest Indian health programs. There are five questions answered in this report and include:

            1.) Reported Cases of Chlamydia
            2.) Diagnosed Cases of Chlamydia by Age Group
            3.) Reason for Medical Visit
            4.) Type of Treatment
            5.) Follow-up Activities

    Females are typically targeted in most Chlamydia screening programs.  To be successful, men must also be routinely screened.

 
   Chlamydia Diagonosis by Age Groups:
        Over three fourths of the positive Chlamydia cases were in 16-19 or 20-24     age groups (72/93).  This trend is consistent with national rates.

Female Patients

    About half of the female patients were diagnosed with Chlamydia during a routine medical visit.  (Other includes: Family Planning, partner request).  This trend is also consistent with national rates.

  Symptoms Presented by Female Patients:
    Just under half (49%) of the symptomatic female patients presented vaginal discharge at the time of the medical visit; 33% presented pelvic pain; 12% presented both pelvic pain and dysuria, and 3% were asymptomatic.

Male Patients

  Two thirds of the male patients  diagnosed with Chlamydia had  medical     symptoms and sought  medical treatment.

  Symptoms Presented by Male Patients:
    Just under half (46%) of the symptomatic male patients presented both penile discharge and dysuria at the time of the medical visit; 36% presented only dysuria; and 18% presented only penile discharge.

Treatment Plan

   About three fourths of the patients diagnosed with Chlamydia received a treatment plan of Azithromycin.

Last Updated: September 14, 2006