THE INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL AND SOCIAL-FACTORS ON THE RISK OF CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS INFECTIONS, A POPULATION-BASED SEROLOGIC STUDY

Background: Genital chlamydia infections often are asymptomatic, which promotes their spread in the population. In women, the possible conse quences of infection are pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Most studies on the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis have been base d on clinical series, and prevalences tend to vary with the clinical s etting. Few seroepidemiologic studies have emerged from industrialized countries. Goal of this Study: To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis using culture and serology, and its relationship with poss ible risk factors. Study Design: This was a population-based study inv olving completion of a self-administered questionnaire, analysis of ce rvical samples for Chlamydia trachomatis, and serologic tests for Chla mydia trachomatis antibodies. Results: The prevalence of Chlamydia tra chomatis infection was 2.7%, and the seroprevalence was 24.7% among th e sexually active women. Seropositivity was correlated with sexual beh avior variables, and the incidence of serologic cross-reactivity with respiratory infections (strain TWAR) was low Multivariate logistic reg ression analysis showed the number of sexual partners, age at first co itus, history of therapeutic abortion, and previous pelvic inflammator y disease to be independently correlated with seropositivity. Conclusi on: Early sexual experience and multiple lifetime sexual partners are independent risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection.