Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Its Association with Sexual Behaviour and Alcohol Use in the Population Living in Separated and Segregated Roma Settlements in Eastern Slovakia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore sexual behaviour and the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in the population living in Roma settlements compared to the majority population in Slovakia and to assess the association between alcohol use and sexual behaviour within both populations. A cross-sectional population-based Hepa-Meta study was conducted in Slovakia in 2011. The final sample comprised 452 Roma and 403 non-Roma respondents. The occurrence of CT was detected by direct proof of the pathogen by PCR. The association between alcohol use and the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour were assessed using a logistic regression. First intercourse at age 15 or younger was reported by 27.9% of Roma (vs. 4.5% of non-Roma); 93.4% of Roma (vs. 77.9% of non-Roma) used condom inconsistently, 22.8% of Roma (vs. 43.9% of non-Roma) used a condom for protection from unwanted pregnancies and only 8.8% of Roma (vs. 21.8% of non-Roma) due to protection against infectious diseases. However, Roma reported having had five or more sexual partners less often compared to the majority (11.5% of Roma vs. 20.6% of non-Roma). Binge drinking at least once a month was associated with a higher number of sexual partners in both groups, but not with condom non-use. The prevalence of CT infection in the Roma population was higher (3.8%) compared to non-Roma (2.7%); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Our study found no differences in the prevalence of CT infection between Roma and non-Roma despite differences in sexual behaviour. Roma begin their sexual life earlier and have unprotected sex more often, but on the other hand, they seem to be much more restrained in terms of the number of sexual partners compared to the majority population.

Seroepidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in the General Population of Northern China: The Jidong Community Cohort Study

“…In addition, the C. trachomatis incidence was also similar in men and women (11 per 1,000 vs. 10 per 1,000 person-year, p = 0.833) in our study. Our results were in line with other studies based on anti-Pgp3 seroconversions or NAAT testing ( Kim et al, 2011 ; de Walque et al, 2012 ; Sonnenberg et al, 2013 ; Rutherford et al, 2014 ; Corsenac et al, 2015 ; Silver et al, 2015 ; Ikonomidis et al, 2016 ; Matteelli et al, 2016 ; Babinská et al, 2017 ; Righarts et al, 2017 ; Huneeus et al, 2018 ), indicating no gender-related significant difference of CT infection.…”

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Associated Factors among Vulnerable Riverine in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Access to condom use is one of the strategies to eliminate STIs [ 2 ]. However, in addition to using the family health strategy, teams should assess the effectiveness of condom use in order to work on collective and individual interventions aimed at the population’s needs [ 29 , 30 ]. It is important that health professionals also advise people on the actions to be taken in case of condom breakage during sexual intercourse to minimize the damage related to a possible infection [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Legal Framework for Social Infrastructure for Social Integration of the Roma and Their Preferences: Case of Slovenia

“…On the other hand, demographic factors also influence the development of Roma settlements. Roma inhabitants in Slovakia start their sexual life earlier and have unprotected sex more often, but on the other hand, they seem to be much more reserved in terms of the number of sexual partners compared to the majority population (Babinská et al 2017). Roma women have a higher total fertility rate, which means that the number of live births per woman of childbearing age is much higher than for non-Roma women, and early marriage is much more common among them (Sedlecky and Rašević 2015).…”