title: Sexually transmitted bacterial infections among young women in Central Western Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on sexually transmitted infections in Brazil are done mainly in large metropolises and screening is available for pregnant women only. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Treponema pallidum infection among young non-pregnant women in non-clinical settings in middle-sized cities of Central Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional community-based sample of 1072 participants was included. Sexually active women (64.9%) provided first-catch urine samples for PCR investigation of chlamydial and gonococcal infection. Syphilis was tested in serum. Univariate analysis investigated risk factors for chlamydial infection. Multivariate logistic regression included associations with a p-value <0.20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants was 18 years; 73.2% reported unprotected intercourse, 37.6% were married/cohabiting, and 5% reported a previous STI. Prevalence rates of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. pallidum were 9.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-12.4%), 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-1.9%), and 0.15% (95% CI 0.0-0.7%), respectively. After adjustments, being <20 years old (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.90, 95% CI 1.07-3.37) and having three or more lifetime sexual partners (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.46-4.53) were associated with the risk for chlamydial infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed a high prevalence of chlamydial infection and sexual risk behaviors in this population. These findings are important to guide screening strategies in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Electronic address: yanna.and@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yanna Andressa Ramos
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília Dalva
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Turchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zulmirene Cardoso
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Lopes Brito
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Alves
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: de Brito e Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica Nogueira
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: da Guarda Reis
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eleuse Machado
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Britto Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosane Ribeiro Figueiredo
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nígela Rodrigues
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, CEP 74605050, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Fátima Costa Alves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bacterial sexually transmitted infections; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Risk factor; Young women