[Risk behaviours and Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in prisoners by length of stay in prison]

Young prisoners have high-risk behaviors and socio-economic insecurity that increases vulnerability for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) acquisition. Monitoring its prevalence will help to reduce infection rates.

Cross-sectional study from a convenience sample of prisoners aged 18-25 years. Urine samples were obtained to determine CT. A standardized and anonymous questionnaire was used to collect the study variables.

The overall CT prevalence was 11%, significantly higher in those with less than one year in prison, who also presented higher frequencies in risk behaviors, while these were reduced in those who had been imprisoned for more than a year.

The prevalence values obtained give an idea of the concentration of the population vulnerable to this disease in prisons and underscore the need to continue programs for the prevention and control of sexual transmitted infections (STIs). Being imprisoned longer decreased risk behaviors; therefore, it is important to screen for STIs upon admission because they are more likely to be infected and it would be thus possible to influence at that time in sex education because, at that time, risk behaviors occur more commonly, which are most likely done when they were free.