Prevalence of Genital Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Gynaecologic Clinic Attendees in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted venereal infection in the world. there is little information about the prevalence of c trachomatis in jos, nigeria. objectives: the study was carried out to determine the prevalence of c trachomatis infection in women attending the gynaecology clinic of the plateau state specialist hospital and to assess the variables associated with the infection. methods: a questionnaire was administered, followed by collection of endocervical swabs from patients who gave their consents using sterile plastic-shaft dacron swabs. collected samples were analyzed using chlamydia rapid test device- swab/urine (interchemical ltd. china). results: samples were collected from a total of 164 women, aged between 14 and 45 years. ninety two (56.1% of total sample) tested positive for c trachomatis. the prevalence was slightly higher in patients within the age group 25-29 (17.68%) than in the age group 20-24 (15.24%). both age groups 15-19 and 30-34 had a prevalence of 7.93% each. the age groups 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 and <15 had prevalence of 3.66%, 3.05%, 0.16%, and 0.00% respectively. married women were related to a higher percentage of infection than single women: 38.41% versus 17.07%. age of onset of sexual activity played a role in infection with c trachomatis. women who started having sex earlier in life had a higher prevalence. history of other sexually transmitted diseases was found to be significantly associated with genital c trachomatis infection (41.46%) (p<0.05). fourteen percent of the women had history of infertility, 26.22% spontaneous abortion, 22.12% pelvic inflammatory disease (pid) and 42.68% had more than one sexual partner (past/present). conclusion: a 56.1% prevalence of c trachomatis genital infection was found. awareness campaigns and chlamydia screening and monitoring activities should be initiated and supported by the government.