Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic Brazilian military conscripts.
BACKGROUND
Few data are available on the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among young men in Brazil.


OBJECTIVE
To assess prevalence and risk factors for C. trachomatis infection in male military conscripts.


METHODS
In 2000, 627 young men recruited for military service in Goiania, Goias, Brazil, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a demographic and sexual risk behavior questionnaire, and urine samples were screened for C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
The prevalence of chlamydial infection among asymptomatic conscripts was 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-7.3). In multivariate analysis, failure to use condoms (odds ratio [OR](adjusted) 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-23.4; P = 0.028) and having more than 2 sexual partners in the last 2 months (OR(adjusted) 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1-6.9; P = 0.049) were significantly associated with positivity for C. trachomatis.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial number of asymptomatic young male military recruits were infected with C. trachomatis, and risk factors for this infection were related to sexual behavior. Further research is required to determine if routine screening may be considered as a strategy to reduce prevalence among this population.
Fioravante
Flávia Cristina Resende
FC
Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Brazil.
Costa Alves
Maria de Fátima
Mde F
Guimarães
Eleuse Machado de Britto
EM
Turchi
Marília Dalva
MD
Freitas
Heitor Alarico G
HA
Domingos
Ludmilla Thomé
LT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index