Why Is This Important?
Infections caused by the bacterium ''Chlamydia trachomatis'' are among the most frequently reported notifiable disease in Utah, with 11,107 cases reported in 2022. Almost sixty percent of the reported cases were among persons between 15 and 24 years of age. The overall rate for chlamydia in Utah in 2022 was 328.7 cases per 100,000 persons.
Females with chlamydia are at risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and both men and women may become infertile as a result of untreated chlamydia. Untreated chlamydia infections can damage the reproductive systems of both males and females. Susceptibility to more serious infections such as HIV also increases when an individual is infected with chlamydia. In addition, pregnant women with chlamydia can pass the infection to their infant during delivery, potentially resulting in pneumonia or neonatal ophthalmia.Chlamydia, Utah and U.S., 1992-2022 |
Data Sources
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Communicable Diseases
- Population Estimates for 1999 and earlier: Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget
- Population Estimates for 2000-2019: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau, IBIS Version 2020
- Population estimates used linear interpolation of U.S. Census Bureau, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute population estimates, and ESRI ZIP Code data provided annual population estimates for ZIP Code areas by sex and age groups, IBIS Version 2022
- National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Data Notes
Rates were calculated by dividing the number of cases for each year by the total population within that year and multiplying by 100,000. Prior to 2009, Utah rates were calculated using the morbidity report date; effective 2009, rates were calculated using the date of diagnosis.Risk Factors
Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases include:
* sexual activity among young adults 25 and younger
* multiple sex partners
* prior history of STIs
* unprotected sex
* illicit drug use
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Those who fall within one or more of these categories should be tested for STIs in regular intervals. Sites of infection may include pharynx, rectum, vagina, cervix, and urethra.How Are We Doing?
Chlamydia infections continue to be the most frequently reported STI in Utah. In 2022, the rate of chlamydia was 328.7 per 100,000 persons. This is a decrease of 2.3% from 2021. Chlamydia rates in Utah have typically increased during the past ten years, with the exception of slight decreases in 2013 (2.9%), 2020 (6.7%), and 2022 (2.3%).
Over the past 10 years, rates in females have averaged twice that of males. Chlamydial infections in both men and women are commonly asymptomatic, yet screenings occur more often among females, resulting in higher rates of reported infections among females. However, with the expanded availability of urine testing, men are increasingly being tested for chlamydial infection. Over the past 10 years in Utah, the chlamydia rate in men increased by 39.1% as compared to a 21.5% increase in women over this period.What Is Being Done?
Persons who test positive for chlamydia are confidentially interviewed by a disease intervention specialist (DIS) from their local health department (LHD) to educate the patient, ensure proper treatment, and to obtain sexual partner information for follow up. This process helps prevent the spread of infection and keeps the patient from becoming reinfected.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services HIV/STD Elimination, Analysis, Response, and Treatment (HEART) program, along with LHDs, currently provide STI (sexually transmitted infection) presentations upon request to a variety of organizations, agencies, and facilities.
Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 04/29/2024
