Prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active adolescents from Salvador, Brazil

Abstract

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents is increasing worldwide. Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases in young women, and undetected disease is highly associated with long-term complications in women. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a sexually active population of female adolescents from Salvador, Brazil, and to describe their socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics. 100 sexually active adolescents (10-19 years) were included in this study, between 2008 and 2010. Endocervical samples were obtained during gynecological examination. Inhouse polymerase chain reaction of cervical specimens was used for Chlamydia trachomatis detection. The overall prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection was 31% (95% CI 22-40). There were no statistically significant differences in the age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, and frequency of condom use between Chlamydia infected and uninfected adolescents. The prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among adolescents from Salvador was the highest in Brazil up to the present date. These results demonstrate an urgent need for continued and comprehensive prevention strategies along with proper screening for Chlamydia in high-risk populations in order to decrease the rates of infection.

Genotyping and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women in Belém, Pará, northern Brazil

“…Variable rates of infection prevalence have been found, depending on which populations were studied and which diagnostic methods were used. Though the tracking of C. trachomatis is not mandatory in Brazil, several studies of prevalence have been performed in different regions of the country, with rates that have varied from 6% to 31% [13,14]. In the Amazon region, these studies are scarcer.…”

“…However, isolated studies carried out in this country have shown infection rates ranging from 6% to 31% among women [13,14]. The large range of reported rates reflects discrepancies in both methods used and populations evaluated [15].…”

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women living in remote areas in Amazonas, Brazil—a self-collection screening experience

“…Brazilian studies report a prevalence of C. trachomatis infection between 6.4 and 10.7% in women receiving routine gynecological exams, 6,15–18 6.9 and 13.5% in women attending a family planning clinic, 13,19,20 15.6 and 20.7% in women attending an STI clinic, 20,21 9.4 and 11.1% in pregnant women, 20,22 and 14.5 and 31% in adolescents. 23,24…”

Frecuencia de la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en un grupo de mujeres de la Región de la Araucanía, Chile

“…En relación a estudios latinoamericanos, en una población de mujeres brasileras de un rango etario de 14 a 63 años (n: 121), utilizando muestras endo-cervicales, se demostró 20,79% de casos positivos mediante RPC convencional, destacando que 80% de los casos positivos perteneció a mujeres de 23 años o menos 11 . Otro estudio en Brasil, también con RPC convencional como sistema de detección, en una población femenina sexualmente activa de 10 a 19 años (n: 100), se determinó una prevalencia de infección de C. trachomatis en 31% de muestras endo-cervicales 12 . Por otro lado, en muestras endo-cervicales de 105 mujeres venezolanas (18 a 48 años), tanto sintomáticas como no sintomáticas, determinó una prevalencia de 10,4% de infección por C. trachomatis.…”