Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in sexually
active female adolescents in Warsaw
K. T. Niemiec, E. Filipp, M. Przybykowska, A. Paw?owska, U.
Tarnowska- Ms~dra
Institute of Mother and Child, Department of Gynecology and
Obstetrics, Warsaw, Poland
Background: Sexually active adolescents belong to the
high risk group of sexually transmitted diseases including Chlamydia trachomatis
infections because of unsafe sex practices, undeveloped microbiological and
functional cervix’s defensive mechanisms. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most
common sexually transmitted pathogen and a major cause of pelvic inflammatory
disease.
Objectives: To determine prevalence Chlamydia trachomatis
infections among sexually active female adolescents in Warsaw.
Materials and Methods: 696 sexually active girls 16 ? 19
years old attending outpatient clinic of the Institute of Mother and Child in
Warsaw from January 2003 till January 2005 were enrolled to this study.
Chlamydia tests were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients
diagnosed with Chlamydia cerivicitis and their sexual partners were treated a
single 1,0 g dose of azithromycin. Data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The prevalence of CT genital infection in the
study group was 4,1%.
Conclusions: There is no complete information about
prevalence of Chlamydia infection in Polish teenagers’ population. The
chlamydial infection in adolescence may bring very important consequences for
the whole lifetime, including infertility. Therefore we recommend screening that
would give more information about prevalence of this infection in Poland. We
also recommend education aimed at adolescents stressing out the necessity of
safe sexual behavior.