Risk factors for Chlamydia infection among young women coming to family
planning clinics for emergency contraception
F. Siddiqui (1), Loretta Brabin (2) Palatine Centre, Manchester, UK
(1);
Academic Unit of Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Reproductive Health
Care, Whitworth Park, Manchester, UK (2)
Objective: To investigate the sexual behavioural characteristics of
women requesting emergency contraception (EC) and their potential risk of
chlamydial infection.
Design: Cross-sectional study between October 2002 and July 2003.
Setting: Family planning clinics in Manchester.
Participants: Women below 25 years, requesting EC.
Method: Volunteers were asked to complete a questionnaire in the
clinic and return a urine sample one week later for chlamydia testing.
Main outcome measure: Descriptive statistics.
Results: 127 women were recruited, with a mean age of 20.5 years (SD:
2.7). Only 16.1% women were first time users, and 68.3% had requested EC at
least once during the last year. Women who currently smoked and reported 42
partners were more likely to be multiple users. Current use of oral
contraceptives was low; 38 women reported a previous pregnancy, of which 25 had
been terminated. Thirty-six urine samples were tested for chlamydia, and 4
(11.1%) were positive. Most women did not consider themselves at high risk of
infection.
Conclusions: This study suggests high- risk behaviour, lack of
contraceptive continuity, high abortion rates and repeat EC use among users of
EC. The failure of many young women to return urine samples after having left
the clinic indicates a need for in-site testing. Studies in more representative
samples are required.
