Chlamydial infection among patients attending STD and genitourinary clinics in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
The main objective of this study is to examine the epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection amongst patients (473 men, 180 women) seen two hospitals in Taiwan.


METHODS
Between July 2004 and June 2005, a total of 653 patients provided first-void urine samples for examination of CT using PCR assay.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of CT infection was 18.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3-19.5). Prevalence for men and women were 16.7 % (95% CI 15.3-18.0%) and 22.8% (95% CI 17.5-28.1%), respectively. Age group-specific prevalence was 25.7% (95% CI 22.5-28.9%) in < 20 year olds, 23.5% (95% CI 20.3-26.7%) in 20-24 year olds, 22.3% (95% CI 18.9-25.7%) in 25-30 year olds, and 11.5% (95% CI 10.3-12.7%) in > 30 year olds. Independent risk factors for chlamydial infection included younger age (aged < or = 30 years) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.44; 95% CI 1.52-3.84; p < 0.001), inconsistent condom use (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.32-3.06; p < 0.001), being symptomatic (dysuria, urethral discharge) at the time of testing (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.21-2.80; p < 0.001), and having N. gonorrhoeae infection (AOR = 3.82; 95% CI 2.20-6.58; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Genital chlamydial infection is an important sexually transmitted disease in Taiwan. Young Taiwanese persons attending a STD clinic should be screened for CT infection and counselled on condom use.
Chen
Kow-Tong
KT
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng- Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. ktchen@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Chen
Shou-Chien
SC
Chiang
Chien-Chou
CC
Li
Lan-Hui
LH
Tang
Li-Hui
LH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex