Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections and specimen collection preference among women, using self-collected vaginal swabs in community settings.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia trachomatis is a common, often asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to estimate the prevalence and predictors of C. trachomatis among young women using self-collected vaginal swabs, and the preferences of women and physicians for self-testing.


METHODS
A total of 514 attendees of university/college health clinics, adolescent birth control clinics, centers providing health services to homeless youth and adults (street health centers), a sexually transmitted diseases clinic, and family practices were tested by ligase chain reaction. Preference for self- versus provider-testing was examined.


RESULTS
Prevalence was 6.0% and was highest (18.2%) in the street health centers. In multivariate analysis, only recent contact with someone with C. trachomatis infection was significantly associated with infection (odds ratio, 7.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-20.0). Most women (54.2%; 256 of 472) preferred self-sampling compared with physician sampling (15.9%; 75 of 472). The majority of physicians (75.0%; 9 of 12) reported at the start and end of the study that they would use vaginal swab self-sampling if available.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of infection in young women attending homeless youth organizations was high. Self-sampling was acceptable and could facilitate screening in high-risk women who do not regularly access health services.
Richardson
Elizabeth
E
Public Health and Community Services Department, City of Hamilton, the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. erichard@hamilton.ca
Sellors
John W
JW
Mackinnon
Sharon
S
Woodcox
Vicki
V
Howard
Michelle
M
Jang
Dan
D
Karwalajtys
Tina
T
Chernesky
Max A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012646:Self Administration; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*