Prevalence of and risk factors for Chlamydia in a rural pregnant population.

BACKGROUND

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States. Perinatal infection with C trachomatis has been associated with preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, stillbirth, and both conjunctivitis and pneumonia in newborns. Little is known about the prevalence of C trachomatis infection in rural pregnant women.

METHODS

We completed a retrospective chart analysis of 347 obstetric patients in a rural family practice residency training program to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors, and screening criteria for cervical C trachomatis infection.

RESULTS

The prevalence of C trachomatis infection in our study was 9.0%. Factors predictive of a positive test for C trachomatis infection included single marital status, African-American race, history of sexually transmitted diseases, presence of gonorrhea during the current pregnancy, age less than 20 years, and late onset of prenatal care.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of C trachomatis in this rural obstetric population emphasizes the importance of laboratory screening of rural pregnant women for this disease.