title: Chlamydia trachomatis infection among 15- to 35-year-olds in Baltimore, MD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States. This article reports population and subpopulation prevalence estimates of Ct and correlates of infection among 15- to 35-year-olds in Baltimore, MD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Monitoring STIs Survey Program (MSSP) monitored sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence among probability samples of residents of Baltimore, a city with high STI rates. MSSP respondents completed telephone audio computer-assisted self-interviews and provided biospecimens for STI testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 2120 Baltimore residents aged 15 to 35 years, the estimated prevalence of chlamydia was 3.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8, 5.0). Prevalence was 5.8% (95% CI: 4.1, 7.6) among black MSSP respondents versus 0.7% (95% CI: 0.0, 1.4) among nonblack respondents; all but 4 infections detected were among black respondents. Sexual behaviors and other factors associated with infection were far more prevalent among black than nonblack Baltimore residents. Racial disparities persisted after adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioral, and health factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MSSP highlights a higher Ct prevalence among young people in Baltimore than in the United States overall, with notable racial disparities in infection and associated risk behaviors. Public health efforts are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic infections in this population.
authors.affiliation: Statistics and Epidemiology Division, Research Triangle Institute, Washington, DC 20015, USA. eeggleston@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eggleston
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erbelding
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Villarroel
authors.forename: Laxminarayana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ganapathi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult