Preliminary results of a screening programme for Chlamydia in an asymptomatic young population

Abstract

Introduction Chlamydia trachomatis infection has increased in recent years, reaching 127 million cases in 2016. Possible complications, especially among women, require intervention for early detection. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia infection in a young, sexually active, asymptomatic population.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among young patients aged 18 to 25 years attending the emergency room for any reason. The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and other STIs in urine was determined.Results Twenty-two patients enrolled in the screening (7.4%) were diagnosed with Chlamydia. A further nine patients among the partners of those affected were detected. Young people with two or more sexual partners in the last month and those suffering from infection by ureaplasma were at greater risk of infection by Chlamydia. Up to 50% of participants do not use barrier methodsConclusion The prevalence of infection by Chlamydia in the asymptomatic young population is higher than expected. The scarce use of barrier methods among this population may be one of the causes of this increase and one of the targets to work on in order to reduce the prevalence of the infection.

Should Screening for Chlamydia Trachomatis Be Performed on Asymptomatic Young Adults as well as on the Victims of Sexual Assault?

“…Our team is developing a screening program 11 in the asymptomatic population of men and women between 18 and 25 years of age (preliminary data pending pub-lication), and we found that the prevalence of CT infection was as high as 7.4% among this asymptomatic sample of young patients attending our emergency department due to other health problems. However, although recommended by the ECDC, screening in sexually active young patients between the ages of 15 and 25 years is not being carried out in our country.…”

Preliminary Results of a Screening Programme for Chlamydia in an Asymptomatic Young Population in Spain

“…Violant Pujol, Ms. Noemí Espies, Ms. Núria Garcia, and Mr. Àlvar Sole their contribution in the data collection. This manuscript has been released as a pre-print at research square ( 42 ).…”