ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Chlamydia trachomatis seropositivity and associated risk factors among women attending a Northern Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
Rabi'at Muhammad Aliyu1, Adebiyi Gbadebo Adesiyun2, Umma Suleiman Bawa3, Abdulhakim Abayomi Olorukooba4, Shamsudin Aliyu5
1 Materno-fetal Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Infertility Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Reproductive Health Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
4 Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
5 Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Dr. Rabi'at Muhammad Aliyu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria
Source of Support: None
Conflict of Interest: None
| Click for full text |
Background : Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally. Acquisition of Ct infection is affected by biological and behavioural factors.
Aim: Determine the prevalence of Ct infection and identify risk factors associated with Ct infection in sexually active fertile women in Northern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty sexually active women presenting to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria were studied. Socio-demographic characteristics and history of risk factors for acquisition of genital Ct were obtained from the participants using a questionnaire. Their sera were tested for the presence of Ct immunoglobulin G using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
Results: The mean ages ± standard deviation of seropositive and seronegative women were 29.1 ± 7.3 years and 28.9 (SD 6.7) years respectively (P = 0.438). The prevalence of Ct infection was 6.7% (10/150). Occupation was associated with Ct seropositivity (P = 0.02). Number of sexual partners, age at coitarche; duration of sexual exposure and previous history suggestive of sexually transmitted infection were not associated with Ct seropositivity (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: A low prevalence of Ct was found among fertile women. Lack of regular source of personal income was associated with Ct infection but the sexual behavioural factors studied were not.
| Click for full text |