Prevalence of Antenatal Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide with a high prevalence in developing countries. Chlamydia infection in pregnancy is associated with increased perinatal and neonatal complications such as prelabour rupture of membranes, preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal inclusion conjunctivitis and neonatal pneumonia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of antenatal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Ile Ife. Methods: One thousand, six hundred and eighty-two pregnant women were screened for antenatalChlamydia trachomatis infection at the Obafemi Awolowo university teaching hospitals complex, Ile Ife, Nigeria. After obtaining informed consent, endocervical swabs were processed with the one step Chlamydia rapid test kit manufactured by Span Biotech limited, Hong Kong. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. A P value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The prevalence was 13.2% and the highest prevalence was found among pregnant women aged less than 20 years (21.1%). There was a statistically significant relationship between antenatalChlamydia trachomatis infection and yellowish vaginal discharge (χ = 5.48, df = 1, P = 0.03), new sexual partner in the preceding 3 months (χ = 9.91, df = 1, P = 0.01) and previous sexually transmitted infection. (χ = 5.66, df = 1, P = 0.02). The determinants on multivariate analysis were yellowish vaginal discharge (AOR1.51, 95%CI 1.22 3.63, P = 0.005), age group (AOR 0.90, 95%CI 0.84 0.97, P = 0.001) and previous treatment for sexually transmitted infection (AOR 1.97, 95%CI 1.26-2.90, P = 0.005). Conclusions: Pregnant women within the younger age group and those with previous history of sexually transmitted infections are at increased risk of antenatal Chlamydia trachomatis infection and therefore may be screened to prevent the adverse perinatal outcomes. Further studies are however necessary to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening programs.