Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital infections in a publicly funded pregnancy termination clinic: empiric vs. indicated treatment?
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of lower genital tract infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among women seeking first-trimester pregnancy termination in a same-day abortion clinic in a public hospital.


METHODS
We reviewed CT and N. gonorrhoeae test results of 1974 women who underwent a first-trimester abortion for a period of 6 months between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2006, at a large public hospital.


RESULTS
During our study period, 225 (11.4%) women tested positive for chlamydia infection and 51 (2.6%) women tested positive for gonorrhea using probe technology. Twenty-two (1.2%) women tested positive for both.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a comparatively high prevalence rate of chlamydia-positive patients (11.4%) in our publicly funded pregnancy termination clinic. Because of infrequent follow-up in this patient population, we suggest screening and providing the epidemiologic treatment for CT genital infection for all women undergoing a same-day abortion procedure. It may prove cost-effective. Our prevalence rate of gonorrhea was lower (2.6%). The value of providing epidemiologic treatment for gonorrhea to all patients undergoing a same-day abortion procedure should be reexamined in controlled trials.
Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John H. Stroger; Jr Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. ashleshapatel116@yahoo.com
Ashlesha
A
Patel
Shahida
S
Rashid
Emily M
EM
Godfrey
Hemang
H
Panchal
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult