High prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women presenting in different clinical settings in Jamaica: implications for control strategies

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection and risk factors in women attending family planning, gynaecology, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Jamaica. Methods: Endocervical specimens from 645 women including 238 family planning, 170 gynaecology, and 237 STD clinic attendees were examined for C trachomatis using a direct fluorescence assay (DFA) and culture. Investigations were carried out for the presence of other STD pathogens and demographic, behavioural, historical, and clinical data recorded for each participant. Results: The prevalence of C trachomatis infection was 35%, 47%, and 55% in family planning, gynaecology, and STD clinic clients, respectively. The performance of the DFA was comparable to that of culture in screening for C trachomatis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for C trachomatis infection were non-barrier contraceptive methods in family planning clients (OR=2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-3.9; p=0.0110), cervical ectopy in gynaecology clients (OR=3.9; 95% CI=1.4-10.6; p=0.0076) and concomitant Trichomonas vaginalis infection in STD clients (OR=3.5; 95% CI=1.8-6.8; p=0.003). Age, number of sex partners, and reason for visit were not identified as risk factors for C trachomatis infection. Conclusions: Consistently high prevalence of C trachomatis infection occurs in Jamaican women. Universal screening or presumptive treatment should be evaluated as prevention and control measures for C trachomatis infection in this population where all women appear to be at risk. (Sex Transm Inf 1999;75:412-416)

Sexually transmitted infections in a female population in rural north‐east Brazil: prevalence, morbidity and risk factors

“…However, as these studies used less sensitive diagnostic methods, reported prevalence rates may have been too low. In female populations in other underdeveloped countries prevalence rates of 11-35% have been reported for chlamydial infection (Acebes & Naud 1993;Bowden et al 1999;Dowe et al 1999;Steen et al 2000). Differences in the composition of the study populations make a meaningful comparison of the data impossible.…”

“…In female populations in other underdeveloped countries prevalence rates of 11–35% have been reported for chlamydial infection (Acebes & Naud 1993; Bowden et al. 1999; Dowe et al. 1999; Steen et al.…”

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in fresh tissue specimens from patients with ectopic pregnancy or tubal factor infertility as determined by PCR and in-situ hybridisation

“…In Martinique, Chout et al [26] used cell culture methods to screen the urethra and cervix of 1411 prenatal patients and obtained a chlamydial isolation rate of 27%. More recently, Dowe et al [27] reported a prevalence of between 35% and 55% in Jamaican women attending family planning, gynaecology or STD clinics.…”

Relationship of cervical ectopy to chlamydia infection in young women

“…It has previously been suggested that cervical ectopy is a possible risk factor for chlamydial infection. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The aim of the present study was to determine whether chlamydia was more prevalent in young women with cervical ectopy.…”