Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among active duty male soldiers reporting to a troop medical clinic for routine health care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of chlamydia among young, male soldiers receiving routine healthcare and to measure risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI).


METHODS
Male soldiers between the ages of 18 to 25 years seeking routine healthcare were screened for chlamydia. Educational information regarding Chlamydia trachomatis was provided before testing. The transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) urine-based test was used as a sensitive and specific screening tool to detect disease. Assessment of risk factors was determined by questionnaire. Subjects who tested positive for chlamydia were treated with azithromycin 1 g in a single dose.


RESULTS
A total of 138 male soldiers were screened for chlamydia. The majority of soldiers screened reported to sick call for evaluation of an injury, 31.9%. The estimated prevalence of chlamydia was 8.0% (95% CI: 0.035-0.125). Soldiers who tested positive for chlamydia were more commonly asymptomatic, 72.7%. Of those who screened positive for chlamydia, 63.6% did not use a condom during their last encounter. No subjects who tested positive for disease had been treated for an STI in the past.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of chlamydia in this population of young, male soldiers is high. These results should spur providers to incorporate STI risk assessment and screening into a variety of clinical encounters.
Greene
Jeffery P
JP
Department of Pediatrics, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. Jeffery.greene@cen.amedd.army.mil
Stafford
Elisabeth
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States