Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active adolescents: prevalence and risk factors.

The prevalence of Chlamydia atrachomatis genital infection was studied in a sexually active urban Baltimore adolescent population. Possible risk factors e.g. age past history of sexually transmitted disease number of sexual partners contact with sexually transmitted disease oral contraceptive (OC) use and concomitant gonococcal infection were also evaluated. The prevalence of chlamydial infection in the 280 adolescents studied was 26%: 35% in male adolescents 27% in pregnant female adolescents and 23% in nonpregnant female adolescents. Chlamydia was almost 3 times as prevalent as gonorrhea in the same population. Age history of sexually transmitted disease OC use and concomitant gonorrhea were not significantly associated with chlamydial infection. However multiple current sexual partners contact with sexually transmitted disease genitourinary symptoms and cervical ectopy were significantly associated with chlamydial infection. Testing for chlamydial infection in sexually active urban teenagers is recommended for those with genitourinary symptoms those with cervical ectopy or those who are contacts of persons with sexually transmitted disease. Considering the reservoir of infection in the asymptomatic female adolescents screening for chlamydial infections in family planning clinics warrants consideration. (authors)