Rates of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Chilean adolescents
Huneeus, A.; Pumarino, M.ía.G.; Schilling, A.; Robledo, P.; Bofil, M.
Revista Medica de Chile 137(12): 1569-1574
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 20361132 Document Number: 218316
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are common sexually transmitted diseases among young women and little has been doing to study them in Chilean adolescents. Determine the rates of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae in Chilean young women. Urine samples were obtained from 203 sexually active females under 25 year-old, who attended hospitals from either high or low-income areas in Chile's capital, Santiago. C trachomatis and Ngonorrhoeae were detected by nucleic acid amplification testing. Seven percent of samples were positive for C trachomatis. AU samples were negative for N gonorrhoeae. Among pregnant women, 19% of samples were positive for C trachomatis, while non-pregnant women were positive on 5.5% (p =0.04). Systematic use of barrier contraception was referring by 12% of women. AU of the latter was free of C trachomatis. No association was observing between age, number of sexual partners, age of first sexual intercourse, and presence of uro-gynecological symptoms, socioeconomic status and the rate of C trachomatis. Seven percent of this group of Chilean young women was infected with C trachomatis. The figure rises to 19% if pregnant. Surveillance and screening programs should been implemented to prevent sequels on this vulnerable population.