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Criteria for selective screening for Chlamydia trachomatis
Maarit Paukku1, Riika Kilpikari, Mirja Puolakkainen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland. Maarit.Paukku@hus.fi
Background:
On the basis of studies in ethnically diverse populations, it appears that the best strategy for prevention of infections is screening of all women aged 25 years or younger.
Goal:
The goal was to determine screening criteria in an ethnically and socioeconomically homogenous population with low prevalence of genital chlamydia infection.
Study Design:
Women (N = 1198) attending two family planning clinics were screened for and surveyed for risk factors. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.
Results:
The overall prevalence of infection was 3.5%. Risk markers for the infection included marital status, number of sex partners, and age. Screening women aged 25 years or younger would have identified 28% of all chlamydial infections, while screening all women aged 30 years or younger would have identified 83% of infections.
Conclusion:
Because of its feasibility, age appears to still be the best screening criterion. However, extension of the screening to include women up to 30 years of age should be considered.