Factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis in women with vaginitis attending in primary health care

• Published in: Revista chilena de infectología 2021-06, Vol.38 (3), p.333-339
• Main Authors: Melo, Angélica, Ossa, Ximena, Bustos, Luis, Fetis, Giselle, Lazo, Lorena, Fonseca-Salamanca, Flery
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 0717-6341
• DOI: 10.4067/S0716-10182021000300333

BACKGROUNDChlamydia trachomatis is recognized as the causative agent of one of the most common and curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In women, it can be a trigger for pelvic inflammatory disease, a risk factor for infertility or acquisition of other STIs. AIMTo determine CT in women with vaginitis and associate it with sociodemographic, sexual, clinical, and vaginal microbiota factors. METHODS121 female volunteers > 18 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of vaginitis and abnormal vaginal discharge, attending in primary health care services (PHC) in Temuco-Chile were recluted. A vaginal discharge sample was taken, determining C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction and vaginal microbiota by Gram stain. Clinical, sociodemographic and sexual data were collected by survey. RESULTSAge range was 18-61 years. The frequency of C. trachomatis was 14.9%. C. trachomatis was associated with a higher number of sexual partners in the last 5 years (p = 0.001), oral plus anal sex (p = 0.055) and sex toys (p = 0.027); there was a non-significant association with bacterial vaginosis 31.2% (p = 0.091) and initiation of sexual activity < 18 years 20.6% (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONSIt would be beneficial to incorporate in the gynecological semiology of the women attended in PHC services, the factors found to favor C. trachomatis infection, as this could help the management of this STI.