Aims: This study estimates the prevalence of chlamydia infection amongst teenage substance users aged 14-18years and investigates risk factors associated with a positive diagnosis of chlamydia infection.
Methods: Data was collected from the medical files of adolescents who attended a statewide drug and alcohol treatment facility during a three-year period commencing June 2011.
Results: The highest rate of chlamydia detection (18.0%) was found in the group with a reported history of abuse, a non-substance use psychiatric diagnosis, and individuals who did not complete year 10 education.
Conclusion: Adolescents attending a detoxification facility are a suitable group for targeted chlamydia infection screening and early treatment.
Keywords: STI; alcohol; chlamydia; drugs; psychiatry.