Declining trends in some sexually transmitted diseases in Norway between 1975 and 1991 with special reference to a Lapp population.

Trends of N. gonorrhoeae (1975-1991) and C. trachomatis (1988-1991) infections in Norway were analysed by the National Institute of Public Health (SIFF) using data reported by physicians. The validity of the reporting system was evaluated by comparing reported data from the three northernmost counties and particularly the Kautokeino community to SIFF with confirmed positive specimens analysed by the two microbiological laboratories serving this area. The incidence of gonorrhoea in Norway has declined continuously from 300 cases per 100,000 annually in 1976 to 15 in 1991, whereas C. trachomatis infections with annual rates of 300 cases per 100,000 during the last 4 years has shown no significant decrease. The incidence of gonorrhoea in the county of Finnmark has shown the same declining trend as for the rest of the country, but is still four times higher than the national average. C. trachomatis infections show no obvious declining tendency in any part of the country and is three to four times higher in Finnmark than the average for the country. Kautokeino experienced a dramatic decrease in gonococcal infections from more than 1000 cases per 100,000 in 1976 to almost eradication in 1991, whereas C. trachomatis infections show a four times higher annual incidence than the national average. Although gonorrhoea is almost eradicated in Norway, C. trachomatis infections remain an important public health problem. This study indicates that young, sexually active individuals need to be targeted for effective health education in order to modify behaviour patterns which put them at risk of acquiring STDs.