Survey Study on Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea is increasing among young adults and chlamydia infection is common among young women and men in Sweden. By participating in this study, you help us understand risk factors and develop better prevention efforts. Your participation is voluntary, anonymous, and does not require any additional testing.
Why is the study important?
Gonorrhoea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections that can lead to serious complications, such as involuntary infertility or problems during pregnancy. In Sweden, the number of gonorrhoea cases has increased by over 400 percent since 2009. In 2023, gonorrhoea was more common than ever before in the EU, with the largest increase among young adults aged 18–29 years. Antibiotic resistance makes gonorrhoea difficult to treat, increasing the risk of spread and complications. Chlamydia is also common in the same age group.
The purpose of the study is to:
- Identify risk factors for gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
- Compare risk factors for both infections.
- Develop evidence-based prevention strategies tailored to young adults.
How participation works
Participation is voluntary and proceeds as follows:
- You can participate if you are 18–29 years old and visit certain youth clinics or STI clinics in Region Stockholm, Skåne and Västra Götaland.
- You will receive information about the study and provide verbal and digital consent.
- You will receive a serial number and a QR code to answer the web-based survey. No personal identifying information is required.
- You will complete a web-based survey about your background, previous STI infections, testing history, condom use, and attitudes toward safe sex.
- Your test results are retrieved from routine tests at health care clinic. No additional samples are taken.
- Survey responses and test results are linked using the serial number and are analysed at the group level.
How is your information protected?
Your information is protected in the following ways:
- Anonymity: The survey and test results are linked to a serial number, not to you as a person.
- Key code: The healthcare clinic stores a key code linking the serial number to your personal identity number. The key code is not shared with us and is destroyed after data collection.
- Pseudonymization: We only receive the serial number to link questionnaire responses with test results. No personal information is disclosed.
- Data handling: All study information is stored according to our guidelines for sensitive personal data.
How are the responses used?
The responses are analysed at the group level to:
- Investigate the relationship between behaviours and risk factors for individuals with positive or negative test results.
- Develop evidence for prevention measures that reduce the spread of infection.
How does the study contribute to better prevention?
The results will:
- Serve as the basis for targeted interventions to reduce the spread of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and other STIs.
- Be published in scientific journals to disseminate knowledge to researchers and policymakers.