POINT OF CARE RAPID DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING FOR CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AMONG SEXUALLY ACTIVE ASYMPTOMATIC FEMALES IN OKADA, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

Introduction: Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. It can be transmitted or acquired even without ejaculation. It can also be transmitted perinatally from an untreated mother to her baby during childbirth, resulting in ophthalmia neonatorum or pneumonia in some exposed infants.

Objective: The objective of this study was to screen for and determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic sexually active women aged 16-33 years with the aid of a point of care rapid test kits within a resource-limited setting.

Methods: In this study endocervical swab of a total of 170 female subjects between the ages of 16 to 33 were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis with two types of rapid test kits (Diaspot and Abon Rapid test kits for chlamydia). The subjects consisted of 140 study subjects and 30 control subjects attending the gynecological unit in Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH) for other reasons, all subjects were random, sexually active, asymptomatic females and residents in Okada and its environs.

Results: A total of 11 subjects tested positive to chlamydia (7.85 %). The samples that tested positive for Chlamydia were from patients that were unmarried and students. The age groups with the highest prevalence were 22-28 (5.71 %) and 16-21 (2 %). 23.63 % have had a previous history of STD and 26.47 % had awareness of chlamydia infection. The ages group (22 - 27) had the highest level of awareness. The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis was consistent with their sexual lifestyles.

Conclusion: Chlamydia screening should be a continuous public health intervention and screening programmes should ensure regular chlamydia screening for a high proportion of the target population. The methods for monitoring and ways to ensure standards are met should be adopted.