Decreased prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection associated with a selective screening program in family planning clinics in Wisconsin.
The effectiveness of selective screening for control of Chlamydia trachomatis is unknown. In 1986, a statewide screening program began in family planning clinics in Wisconsin after the prevalence of infection among women was found to be 10.7% in four nonurban clinics and 13.7% in an urban Milwaukee clinic. In 1990, endocervical specimens were obtained from 1,757 women attending these same clinics; 5.2% of women in the non-urban clinics and 6.9% in the Milwaukee clinic tested positive for C. trachomatis. Prevalence of infection had decreased similarly (by 53% overall) in both high- and low-risk groups in all five clinics. Although reported condom use increased from 16% to 31%, most other demographic and behavioral risk factors for infection did not significantly change; in contrast, the prevalence of clinical signs of infection decreased. The percentage of infections identified by selective screening criteria decreased from 77% to 55%. Selective screening and attendant activities, as well as an increase in condom use, were associated with a decrease in prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in this population.
Addiss
D G
DG
Bureau of Public Health, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison 53710-0309.
Vaughn
M L
ML
Ludka
D
D
Pfister
J
J
Davis
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology