Prevalence of and risk factors for Chlamydia in a rural pregnant population.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States. Perinatal infection with C trachomatis has been associated with preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, stillbirth, and both conjunctivitis and pneumonia in newborns. Little is known about the prevalence of C trachomatis infection in rural pregnant women.


METHODS
We completed a retrospective chart analysis of 347 obstetric patients in a rural family practice residency training program to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors, and screening criteria for cervical C trachomatis infection.


RESULTS
The prevalence of C trachomatis infection in our study was 9.0%. Factors predictive of a positive test for C trachomatis infection included single marital status, African-American race, history of sexually transmitted diseases, presence of gonorrhea during the current pregnancy, age less than 20 years, and late onset of prenatal care.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of C trachomatis in this rural obstetric population emphasizes the importance of laboratory screening of rural pregnant women for this disease.
Shaw
E
E
University of Tennessee/Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, USA.
Roberts
D
D
Connor
P D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology