[Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women using 2 family planning clinics]

To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women attending two family planning clinics in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

From January to December 1998, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,100 sexually active women between 15 and 45 years of age. Study subjects had not received antibiotic therapy for at least one month prior to their visit to the clinic. Endocervical samples were taken for bacterial detection with the enzymatic Wellcozyme immunoassay method. Data were analyzed using the Epi-Info program. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-squared test and prevalence ratios.

Seventy four women were positive to Chlamydia trachomatis (6.7%). Almost 50% of those women were asymptomatic. No statistically significant differences were found between the group with Chlamydia and the group without it who had vulvar-vaginal symptoms. Cervical changes were more frequent in infected women. More positive cases of Chlamydia infection were found in oral contraceptive users (8.3%) than among non users (5.4%).

Study results confirm the high prevalence of asymptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis to avoid infection sequelae. The English version of this paper is available at:http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.