Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection among Women of Reproductive Age Attending the Gynecology Clinic of Hawassa University Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundUrogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis(CT) is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) world-wide, especially in developing nations where routine laboratory diagnosis is unavailable. Little is known about the epidemiology of this infection in Ethiopia where other STIs are prevalent. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of CT infection among women of reproductive age.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 322 consecutive women aged between 15–49 years at Hawassa University Referral Hospital from November 2014 to April 2015. Data on socio-demography and potential risk factors for genital infection were collected using structured questionnaires. Moreover, endocervical swabs were collected from all participants, screened for CT antigen using rapid immunochromatography assay, and cultured following the standard bacteriological method to isolate Neisseria gonorrhoeae.ResultIn this study, the overall prevalence of CT antigen and N. gonorrhoeae infection was 61(18.9%) and 1(0.31%), respectively. Women aged 15–24 years had the highest prevalence of CT infection (24.2%), followed by those aged 25–34 years (16.8%) and those aged 35–49 years (9.6%). CTinfection was associated with women who had unprotected sex within the last six months (aOR = 3.459; 95% CI = 1.459–8.222) and were sexually active for 6–10 years (aOR = 3.076; 95% CI = 1.152–8.209). None of the clinical symptoms and diagnoses was significantly associated with CT antigen positivity.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of genital CT infection in this study highlights the need for further large-scale studies on the general population. Thus, screening of women regardless of their symptoms should be in place.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients attending sexual and reproductive health clinics: A cross-sectional study in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, China

“…Consistent with previous reports [33, 34, 47, 48, 51–53] being 18–25 years old was an independent risk factor of CT infection. In addition, being infected with NG and never tested for CT preciously were also independent risk factors of CT infection.…”

“…Our study showed that 10.6% of men and 10.3% of women attending sexual and reproductive health clinics were tested positive for CT infection, similar to that reported in England (10.3%-10.6%) [38,40], Netherlands (8.9%-10.1%) [41], Nigeria (9.6%) [42], Danmark (11.5%) [43], Spain (12.3%) [44], Iran (12.6%) [45], and Mexico (14.2%) [46]. However, the prevalence of CT infection in the current study was higher than that reported in Australia (5.9%) [47] and lower than that reported in Ethiopia (18.9%) [48], Palestine (20.2%) [49] and Solomon Islands(20.3%) [50]. Compared to the previously reported prevalence of 17.7% in Shenzhen in 2009 [33], the current study found a much lower prevalence of CT infection, which may be related to improved access to health care for city residents.…”

Prevalence and associated factors of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among female commercial sex workers in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia, the epidemiology of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection is not well described due to the asymptomatic nature of the infection and lack of laboratory diagnostic facilities. However, a hospital-based study that investigated women of reproductive age (15–49 years) reported prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was 18.9 and 0.31%, respectively [11]. It would be important to study FCSWs to emphasize the need of strengthening intervention strategies that address the risk group.…”

High Willingness to Participate in Partner Notification among Women Attending Reproductive Health and STI Clinics in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Because of the self-perceived high risk of STI acquisition, patients with STI-related symptoms may be more concerned about the outcomes of PN such as relationship breakdown and partner violence, and be more cautious about expressing their willingness to engage in PN. However, it was found that there was no association between symptoms and CT infection in many studies [19,[31][32][33][34], which means that asymptomatic patients can also be considered to have the same risk of CT infection as symptomatic patients. Because of the low level of awareness about CT infection (Knowledge Q1) in our study, asymptomatic individuals may underestimate their risk of CT infection, and may become cautious about participating in PN after they get diagnosed.…”