Chlamydia trachomatis: is it possible to reduce the number of infections after abortions?

In a study at the University Hospital in Trondheim during 1983, the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis among women terminating their pregnancies was 8.2%. Younger women were infected by C. trachomatis at a more frequent rate than older women (p less than 0.001). Treatment of chlamydia-positive women was initiated within the first two weeks after the abortion. However, among women readmitted to the hospital, chlamydia-positive women showed a higher frequency of salpingitis than chlamydia-negative women (p less than 0.08). Preabortion examination for C. trachomatis and treatment of chlamydia-positive women by practitioners before the abortion is carried out, may reduce the postabortal frequency of salpingitis.