Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in North-West Italy

R. Grio, L. Bello, C. Smirne, F. D'Addato, M. A. Latino, L. Corvetto, G. De Intinis, E. Spagnolo, S. Maffei, E. Leotta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim. Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) among sexually active adolescents and young adults in Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C trachomatis among sexually active -women in Piedmont, Italy and the correlation between some risk factors and C. trachomatis infection. Methods. In our study 31 419 sexually active women aged 12-55 were screened for C. tracbomatis by Abbott's ligase chain reaction (LCR) using cervical swabs during the period 1997-2001 at St. Anna Obstetric-Gynecological Hospital, Turin. AH the patients answered a specific questionnaire. Results. In our analysis the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was found to be 1.23%, and the average age among the infected patients was 36.98 years. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test; a p<0.05 was considered significant. A correlation was found between a positive test result and the age at the first intercourse (p<0.001), the number of sexual partners in the preceding 6 months (p<0.001), the presence of symptoms (p<0.001), a low level of education (p<0.001) and an East-European and Central-Northern African citizenship (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found among the contraceptive methods used, whether an hormonal or a barrier type; a marked increment of the risk -was observed -when no contraception was used. Conclusion. Frequent microbiological examinations are desirable for patients whose anamnesis shows an augmented risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections in order to avoid long term complications from misdiagnosed or asymptomatic pathologies, as often happens with C trachomatis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)401-406
Number of pages6
JournalMinerva Ginecologica
Volume56
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Cervicitis
  • Chlamydia trachomatis infection
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Endometritis
  • Infertility
  • Ligase chain reaction assay
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Pelvic pain
  • Screening
  • Sexually transmitted diseases

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