Prevalence and Characterization of Undiagnosed Youths at Risk of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection: A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in undiagnosed young people aged between 15 and 24 years.Materials and MethodsA convenience sample of 623 youths, with a mean (SD) age of 20.1 (2.2) years, was recruited from key spaces in the North Metropolitan area of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. Participants completed a 21-item questionnaire and provided a urine sample or vaginal swab for testing.ResultsThe most common age at the first sexual intercourse was 16 years (24.6%), followed by 15 years (21.3%). Only 32.6% reported always use of condoms, 49.2% sometimes, and 15.6% never. A positive test for chlamydia was found in 34 participants (5.5%; 95% CI, 3.8–7.5), with no difference by sex. A positive test was significantly more common among the participants who were working, who had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) at some point in their life, and who used web pages/apps to find new sexual partners more than once a month. In the multivariate analysis, working status was an independent factor associated with chlamydial infection (adjusted odds ratio[OR], 8.88; 95% CI, 1.71–46.17), whereas not having been previously diagnosed with an STD (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.07–1.49) and never using the Internet to find sexual partners (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03–080) were protective factors against chlamydial infection.ConclusionsThe prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 5.5%. Working status, a previous diagnosis of STD, and use of the Internet to find new sexual partners were associated with chlamydial test positivity.