SENTINEL SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES SURVEILLANCE AT SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS

This paper examines the data obtained from a national network of Sexua l Health Clinics that provide data on diagnoses of sexually transmitte d diseases (STDs), including specific data on diagnoses of gonorrhoea and early syphilis and sexual risk taking behaviour for the project, ' Measuring trends in sexual risk through improved national surveillance for STD'. Chlamydia was the most frequently diagnosed bacterial STD. Gonococcal infection in homosexually active men accounted for the majo rity of gonorrhoea cases in men. In heterosexual men with gonorrhoea, 25% acquired the infection overseas. The value of data obtained from t he network could be improved through additional data collection. It is recommended that risk factor data on diagnoses of chlamydia and newly acquired hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection be collected. If possi ble, additional data regarding number of tests performed and number of people screened for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C a nd syphilis should be included. It is proposed that the frequency of d ata collection be decreased to 12 monthly intervals.