Preliminary Results of a Screening Programme for Chlamydia in an Asymptomatic Young Population in Spain
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Date
2021
Authors
Yuguero Torres, Oriol
Fernández Armenteros, José Manuel
Vilela, Álvaro
Aramburu, Jesus
Laín, Raquel
Godoy i García, Pere
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Abstract
Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection has increased in recent years,
reaching 127 million cases in 2016. Possible complications, especially among women,
require intervention for early detection of the infection. The objective of our study
was to determine the prevalence of CT infection in a young, sexually active,
asymptomatic population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2017 and 31
December 2018 among young patients aged 18–25 years attending the emergency
room for any reason. The presence of CT and other STIs in urine was determined
by the Allplex Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) with a urine sample. All patients
testing positive were followed by the STD unit and tests on all sexual partners/contacts
were offered. Moreover, we obtained data about sexual habits and risk factors via a
self-reporting questionnaire.
Results: One thousand three hundred eight patients were eligible for inclusion of whom
298 consented to participate. Of these, 22/298 (7.4%) were diagnosed with CT. 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 CT. Up to 50% of participants
do not use barrier methods.
Conclusion: The prevalence of infection by CT in the asymptomatic young population
is higher than expected according to the recent literature in Spain. 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.
Citation
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Frontiers in Public Health, 2021, vol. 9, 615110