The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in a young, sexually-active population

A prospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among 1000 sexually-active women at the Family Planning Association Clinic in Melbourne. This organism was isolated from the cervices of 5.1% of screened women. The women were surveyed about their sexual and gynaecological history, and symptoms of discharge or pain. It was found that women who gave positive results for the presence of Chlamydia were younger, and had commenced intercourse at an earlier age. Risk factors of multiple sexual partners, cervical ectopy and symptoms of urethritis were identified. We recommend that women who have more than one sexual partner should ask their partners to use condoms or, failing this, undergo annual screening for Chlamydia by immunofluorescent staining.