Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Ghanaian women undergoing hysterosalpingography for suspected tubal factor infertility.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the correlates of tubal pathology among Ghanaian women undergoing hysterosalpingography for suspected tubal factor infertility.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 189 women with infertility who underwent hysterosalpingography at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, from September 1 to November 30, 2016. Demographic data; obstetric and gynecologic history; and hysterosalpingography findings were collected using a structured questionnaire. Endocervical swabs were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis using a rapid antigen-based diagnostic kit. Associations between the variables were assessed using bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Positive test results for Chlamydia trachomatis were recorded among 15 participants, giving an overall prevalence of 7.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1%-11.7%). In all, 67 (35.4%) participants had abnormal findings on hysterosalpingography, with 40 (21.2%) displaying bilateral tubal occlusion. The remaining 122 (64.6%) women had normal findings on hysterosalpingography. Eight participants with normal tubal appearance tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (prevalence 6.6%, 95% CI 2.2%-11.0%), whereas seven participants with abnormal tubal appearance tested positive (prevalence 10.4%, 95% CI 3.1%-17.7%; P=0.402). No associations were found between participant characteristics and tubal pathology.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis did not differ by hysterosalpingography findings.