Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic women attending outpatient clinics in a large maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia trachomatis can cause a sexually transmitted infection, which, untreated, may result in considerable morbidity.


METHODS
A prevalence study was conducted for C trachomatis using nucleic acid amplification technology in asymptomatic women, and certain risk factors that may be used to direct future screening strategies were assessed.


RESULTS
The study population comprised 945 asymptomatic women, of whom 783 were attending antenatal clinics, 91 were attending infertility clinics and 71 were attending family planning clinics. An overall C trachomatis prevalence of 3.7% (35/945) was found, with the highest prevalence of 11.2% (22/196) in Irish single women aged <25 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that single status and age <25 years were independent, statistically significant predictors of C trachomatis infection.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support routine screening of asymptomatic women who are sexually active and aged <25 years. An opportunist active screening of all sexually active women independent of age should be additionally considered if resources permit.
McMillan
H M
HM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
O'Carroll
H
H
Lambert
J S
JS
Grundy
K B
KB
O'Reilly
M
M
Lennon
B
B
Collins
C
C
Walsh
T A
TA
Geary
M P
MP
Cafferkey
M T
MT
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence