[Prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a female population seeking contraception counseling].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and risk indicators of cervical infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis among female patients consulting for contraception and to evaluate an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of C. trachomatis in this setting.


METHODS
Prevalence study. Endocervical specimens were analysed by means of culture and enzyme immunoassay. C. trachomatis infection was diagnosed through culture.


METHODS
A hospital family planning clinic in Trois-Rivières, Que.


METHODS
All 533 female patients who consulted for contraception between November 1986 and March 1988. Results of culture were available for 495 patients.


METHODS
Demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was collected by means of a standard questionnaire and a gynecologic examination.


RESULTS
The prevalence rate of chlamydial infection was 9% (45/495). Enzyme immunoassay detected 37 (82%) of the infections. The mean age of the patients was 19.8 years, and 98% of the infections were diagnosed in those aged 25 years or less. The variables significantly associated with C. trachomatis infection were having more than one sexual partner in the preceding year (odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence limits [CL] 1.7 and 5.0) and having more than one partner in the preceding 3 months (OR 2.3; 95% CL 1.2 and 4.3). These two indicators would have detected 58% and 22% of the infections respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening for C. trachomatis infection by means of enzyme immunoassay should be proposed to all female patients aged 25 years or less consulting for contraception in our clinic. Such screening may prove to be an effective preventive measure in other similar clinical settings.
Boisvert
R
R
Département de santé communautaire, Centre hospitalier Ste-Marie, Trois-Rivières, Qué.
Côté
A
A
Poulin
M
M
Lefebvre
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003267:Contraception; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*