A TALE OF 2 SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES - PREVALENCES AND PREDICTORS OF CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA IN WOMEN ATTENDING COLORADO FAMILY-PLANNING CLINICS

Background: The comparative prevalences and predictors of chlamydia an d gonorrhea have not been studied in the family planning clinic popula tion. Goals: To determine the comparative prevalences and predictors o f chlamydia and gonorrhea among Colorado family planning clinic patien ts. Study Design: Cross-sectional study of public and private family p lanning clinic patients in Colorado tested for both chlamydia and gono rrhea (n = 12,926). Results: Among women tested for both infections, t he chlamydia prevalence rate was 4.5% and the gonorrhea prevalence rat e was 0.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors o f chlamydia were age younger than 25 years, black or Hispanic race-eth nicity, cervical friability, mucopus, exposure to a sex partner with c hlamydia, or multiple recent sex partners. Independent predictors of g onorrhea were age younger than 20 years, black or Hispanic race-ethnic ity, or exposure to a sex partner with gonorrhea; adjusted odds ratios for exposure to gonorrhea and black race were the highest for either infection. Conclusions: The gonorrhea prevalence rate was very low com pared to that of chlamydia in patients at Colorado family planning cli nics. Cost-effective gonorrhea testing strategies are needed for this population.