title: [Screening of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis using techniques of self collected vaginal sample in young women].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are responsible for 3-10% of sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents. 75% are asymptomatic. International standards recommend annual screening for C. trachomatis in sexually active women under 26 years. Self-collected vaginal swab is one of the less invasive screening methods, it is well accepted by patients and rarely used in our country.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of C. trachomatis and n. gonorrhoeae by a self-sampling method of vaginal swab and its acceptability in a group of adolescents and young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women 18 to 25 years old. Vaginal samples were processed by nucleic acid amplification tests, Gen Probe APTIMA Combo2. Data were collected on sexual behavior and perception of self-sampling by survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 344 patients with an average age of 21.7 years. Detection of C. trachomatis was positive in 7.9% women and it was not found in any of the patients studied for N. gonorrhoeae. 98% considered self-sampling instructions easy to understand, 87.5% felt comfortable taking the sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of C. trachomatis in the study population was similar to that described in other national and international studies. N. gonorrhoeae was not found in this series, which is consistent with literature reports. The self-sampling technique of vaginal sample was well accepted by the patients. However, they were anxious about the quality of the sample. According to our results, it is important to emphasize the importance of annual detection of these pathogens and that self-sampling technique is a valid alternative.
authors.affiliation: Ginecología Programa de Ginecología de la Adolescencia, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, cconejero@clc.cl.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conejero
authors.forename: Gigliola
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cannoni
authors.forename: Paulina M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Merino
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bollmann
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schulin-Zeuthen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult