Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women in Jos north, Jos, Nigeria: A hospital based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia, infection caused by Chlamydial trachomatis, is recognized as one of the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydial infections during pregnancy have been considered as significant factors in the causation of poor pregnancy outcome and complications like ectopic pregnancy, low weight birth, still birth etc. Objectives: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women accessing antenatal care in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 200 endocervical swabs were collected from consenting pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinic in Faith Alive Foundation Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. The samples were analyzed using lateral flow immunoassay – Rapid Test Device (Swab/Urine) (International Ltd. China). Results: Chlamydia prevalence of 48.5% was established in the current study. The age group 24 – 28 years had the highest prevalence of 67.1% while the least prevalence (23.5%) was recorded among women older than 43 years. This variation of chlamydia prevalence was significantly associated with age group (χ2 = 16.541; p = 0.001). demographics such as marital status and educational status were not associated (p > 0.05) with chlamydia but in addition to age, occupation of the women was significantly associated (χ2 = 44.490; p = 0.001) with the infection. Unskilled women had the highest chlamydia prevalence (74.7%) as opposed to 20% recorded in skilled women and 47.1% among the semi-skilled women. Risk factors like HIV status was significantly associated (χ2 = 27.205; p = 0.001) with chlamydia. HIV positive women had chlamydia prevalence of 83.7% compared with 38.9% in their HIV negative counterparts. Conclusion: The study demonstrated chlamydia prevalence of 48.5% in this study. Age group, history of STI, use of IUD, history of abortion among others were identified as risk factors associated with the infection.