title: Prevalence and correlates of Chlamydia trachomatis among sexually active African-American adolescent females.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the United States and disproportionately affects African-American adolescents. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis and to identify correlates of infection among African-American adolescent females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sexually active African-American adolescent females (n = 522) completed a self-administered survey and structured interview and provided vaginal swab specimens for laboratory assessment of STDs. The relationship among selected psychosocial, behavioral, and biologically confirmed STDs and C. trachomatis was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 17.4%. Results of multiple logistic regression revealed that adolescents testing positive for C. trachomatis infection were significantly more likely to test positive for gonorrhea (OR = 5.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-14.83); to report nonuse of condoms with a steady partner (OR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.23-4.76); to be in shorter relationships (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.13-4.30); and to perceive less parental monitoring (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.08-4.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings emphasize the need for assessing psychosocial factors, behavioral factors, and the presence of other STDs when determining risk for C. trachomatis. Several of the constructs identified are particularly amenable to behavioral interventions designed to prevent infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. kwilli9@sph.emory.edu
authors.forename: Kim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Gina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wingood
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: DiClemente
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hubbard McCree
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liau
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Suzy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Edward W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hook
authors.forename: M Kim
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016487:Parenting; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology