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Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women attending six women's healthcare units in Kaunas, Lithuania

Knowledge about the morbidity caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in eastern Europe is still insufficient. Reporting systems of sexually transmitted diseases and diagnostic tools, especially for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections, are still suboptimal,1 epidemiological studies are costly, and national resources devoted to STD prevention and control are small.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of C trachomatis infections in Lithuanian women, attending six main healthcare units in Kaunas, the second biggest Lithuanian town (500 000 inhabitants) and to learn about risk factors related to genital chlamydial infections.

Women (n=1008) attending four gynaecological outpatient clinics and two antenatal clinics in Kaunas (Lithuania) between November 1999 and December 2000 were enrolled.

Study participants were given a standardised questionnaire concerning social status, sexual behaviour and contraceptive habits, medical and sexual history, and presence of genitourinary symptoms. Pelvic examination was carried out using a standardised examination protocol.

Direct microscopy of the vaginal wet mounts, methylene blue stained urethral and cervical smears was done “bedside.” The direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test (Syva MicroTrak Chlamydia trachomatis Direct Specimen Test, Trinity biotech, Ireland) was used for chlamydia antigen detection.

The median age of the population tested was 25 (mean age 26.1) years. Of the patients who answered the question about the reason of visiting, 513 (59.2%) came for symptom evaluation, …