CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE INFECTIONS IN ATTENDEES OF A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES CLINIC - A TEN YEAR TREND ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Reports indicating incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections have been increasing.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of CT and NG infected individuals attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinic in a University Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on attendees of the STD clinic throughout a 10 year period. Diagnoses of CT and NG infections were enabled upon nucleic acid amplification analysis (PCR).

Results: In our study population there was a male predomi- nance (83.3%). Overall prevalence of CT and NG infection was 1.6% and 0.8%, respectively. A prevalence of 3% of chlamydia infection was recorded when routine screening was implemented. More so, 53% of individuals displayed asymptomatic infection, 78% of which had chlamydia infection and 22% had gonococcal infection (p<0.05). Routine screening of STD attendees has resulted in the diagnosis and treatment of an average of 13.7 asymptomatic individuals.

Conclusion: Unlike gonococcal infection we found an increase of chlamydia infection prevalence when routine screening was implemented. Screening of STD attendees for CT provided the opportunity to identify and treat asymptomatic Chlamydia infections. Systematic screening of STD attendees of both genders for CT should be offered.

KEYWORDS – Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Gonorrhea; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Ambulatory Care Facilities.