Prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in northern Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. However, data on its prevalence and risk factors in Malaysia is still scarce.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection among patients attending STD clinics in northern Peninsular Malaysia.

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in STD clinics of Hospital Pulau Pinang and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah from January to November 2014. Participants were individually interviewed using a structured data collection form followed by a physical examination and laboratory tests. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) was used to detect C.trachomatis infection. Analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 15.

RESULTS

Eighty-three sexually active patients were enrolled, consisting of 51 males and 32 females. The median age was 28.0 years. In general, 32.5% patients were asymptomatic, the remaining presented with genital discharge (41.0%), genital warty lesion (25.3%), genital ulcer (13.3%), dysuria (13.3%), dyspareunia (2.4%), urine hesistancy (1.2%) and genital swelling (1.2%). The prevalence of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection was 21.7% in the study population; 17.6% in males and 28.1% in females. Among the infected females, 44.4% were pregnant. Of those infected 56.6% did not show any symptoms of genital infection, and 77.8% were aged between 18 and 30 years, of which most were females. Among newly diagnosed HIV patients, the prevalence was 14.3%. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, age under 28 years, being married and engagement in oral sex had significantly increased odds of C.trachomatis infection.

CONCLUSIONS

C.trachomatis infection was common among patients attending STD clinics in northern Penisular Malaysia especially in the younger age groups. Majority of the infected patients were asymptomatic.