Abigail Multerer, MS; Paula Silha, MASL, MCHES; Gary D. Gilmore, PhD, MCHES; Jennifer Rombalski, MPH; Abdulaziz Elfessi, PhD; Loriann Stanislawski, MS, MCHES; Peter R. Wilker, PhD; William R. Schwan, PhD
WMJ. 2025;124(3):216-222.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the two most reported bacterial infections in the United States, with over 1.5 million and 500 000 cases reported in 2019, respectively. The number of infections continues to rise, with significant disparities at the national level in the rate of infection between age, race, and sex demographic classifications. Although the disparities in chlamydia and gonorrhea infections have been well described in the US, little research has been done on a smaller community scale, such as La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
Methods: We accessed data from La Crosse County, Wisconsin; the State of Wisconsin; and the United States for gonorrhea and chlamydia cases from 2001 through 2020 and completed both descriptive analysis and inferential statistical analysis.
Results: Gonorrhea and chlamydia rates have risen at the local, state, and national levels. Demographic analysis of the cases in La Crosse County conveyed that females and Black populations having higher rates of infection. Additionally, the 25- to 39-year age group had a marked increase in gonorrhea rates at the county and state levels.
Conclusions: We were able to show demographic differences in chlamydia and gonorrhea incidence rates. The authors recommend that the 25- to 39-year-old group should undergo more regular comprehensive screening for all sexually transmitted infections.