title: Criteria for selective screening for Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On the basis of studies in ethnically diverse populations, it appears that the best strategy for prevention of infections is screening of all women aged 25 years or younger.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to determine screening criteria in an ethnically and socioeconomically homogenous population with low prevalence of genital chlamydia infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (N = 1198) attending two family planning clinics were screened for and surveyed for risk factors. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of infection was 3.5%. Risk markers for the infection included marital status, number of sex partners, and age. Screening women aged 25 years or younger would have identified 28% of all chlamydial infections, while screening all women aged 30 years or younger would have identified 83% of infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of its feasibility, age appears to still be the best screening criterion. However, extension of the screening to include women up to 30 years of age should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland. Maarit.Paukku@hus.fi
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paukku
authors.forename: Riika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kilpikari
authors.forename: Mirja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puolakkainen
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oksanen
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Apter
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paavonen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence