Prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the general population: a meta-analysis

Estimating prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) worldwide is necessary in designing control programs and allocating health resources. We performed a meta-analysis to calculate the prevalence of CT in the general population.

The Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for eligible population-based studies from its inception through June 5, 2019. Q test and I² statistic were used to calculate the heterogeneity between studies. Random effects models were used to pool the prevalence of CT. Meta regression was performed to explore the possible sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and "trim and fill" method.

Twenty nine studies that reported prevalence of CT infection from 24 countries were identified, including a total population of 89,886 persons. The pooled prevalence of CT among the general population was 2.9% (95% CI, 2.4-3.5%), and females had a higher CT prevalence (3.1, 95% CI, 2.5-3.8%) than males (2.6, 95% CI, 2.0-3.2%) (χ² = 10.38, P <  0.01). Prevalence of CT was highest in region of America (4.5, 95% CI, 3.1-5.9%), especially in Latin America (6.7, 95% CI, 5.0-8.4%), followed by females in region of Africa (3.8, 95% CI, 0.7-6.9%), while South-East Asia had a lowest CT prevalence 0.8% (95% CI, 0.3-1.3%).

This study provided the updated prevalence of CT among general population worldwide. General population from Latin America, especially females, and women in Africa should be given priority by WHO when design and delivery CT control programs.