ROUTINE TESTING FOR CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS ON CURACAO, NETHERLANDS-ANTILLES

OBJECTIVE: Although genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is most of ten asymptomatic, early treatment may prevent serious complications. F or screening or routine testing to be cost effective, the prevalence o f the infection must not be too low. STUDY DESIGN: On Curacao, Netherl ands Antilles, the prevalence of chlamydial infection in 205 asymptoma tic women of reproductive age, who were seen by a general practitioner or gynecologist for a gynecologic examination was measured. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was found to be 5.4% (95% confidence interval 2 .7% to 9.4%) with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Of all possible predictors of a chlamydial infection, only young age (<25 ye ars, prevalence 10.3%) seemed to be indicative of such an infection. C ONCLUSION: Routine testing for Chlamydia trachomatis in sexually activ e women on Curacao and on other Caribbean islands is indicated for wom en <25 years old.