High chlamydia infection and its associated factors among patients seeking clinic-based STI services in Southern China: A preliminary cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. This study aimed to provide prevalence and associated factors data among patients seeking clinic-based STI services for estimating the disease burden of CT.

Study design and method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients attending clinics for STI services. Patients' social-demographic and behavioral information was collected and CT infection was determined by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) with self-collected urine specimens. Associated factors were identified using logistic regression.

Results: Among the 8,324 participants, the overall prevalence was 9.0% with 10.7% for males and 8.3% for females respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that aged < 24 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.59], being unmarried (aOR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.35-2.00), having junior high school or below education level (aOR = 1.47, 95%CI = 1.13-1.91), having no access to health insurance (aOR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.07-1.51), and being positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG, aOR = 4.49, 95%CI = 3.25-6.21) were significantly associated with CT infection.

Conclusion: We found that CT infection is prevalent among patients seeking clinic-based STI services in Southern China. Targeted interventions could be implemented for patients with a higher risk of CT infection including those aged < 24, being unmarried, having junior high school or below education level, having no access to health insurance, and being positive for NG. In addition, routine CT screening could be considered a public health strategy by the government.

Keywords: STI services; Southern China; associated factors; chlamydia infection (CT); patients.