Genital chlamydial infection among male attendees at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in urban Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among male patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in urban Taiwan.

METHODS

From July 2003 to June 2004, all male attendees at an STD clinic were invited to participate in this study. Attendees provided a first-void urine sample for examination for C. trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

RESULTS

A total of 390 patients provided first-void urine specimens for testing for C. trachomatis. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 17.7% (95% CI 16.3-19.1%). The age-specific prevalence was higher among patients aged under 20 years and lowest among those aged over 30 years. Approximately 40% of the infections were asymptomatic or subclinical. Younger age (aged <or= 30 years; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31-4.34), inconsistent use of condoms (AOR=2.10, 95% CI=1.21-3.54), and being symptomatic at the time of testing (dysuria, urethral discharge, painful urination, urethral irritation/itching; AOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.16-3.40) were shown to be risk factors for C. trachomatis infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of untreated asymptomatic chlamydial infection is high in young adults in Taipei. Young Taiwanese men attending STD clinics should be screened routinely for chlamydial infection.