AUTHOR=Wang Honglin , Weng Rongxing , Zhang Chunlai , Ye Jianbin , Wen Lizhang , Li Jing , Lu Yongyi , Ning Ning , Hong Fuchang , Chen Xiangsheng , Cai Yumao 

TITLE=High chlamydia infection and its associated factors among patients seeking clinic-based STI services in Southern China: A preliminary cross-sectional study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1005334

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.1005334

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Objective: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. This study aimed to provide prevalence and associated factors data among patients seeking clinic-based STI services for estimating the disease burden of CT.
Study design and method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients attending clinics for STI services. Patients' social-demographic and behavioral information was collected and CT infection was determined by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) with self-collected urine specimens. Associated factors were identified using logistic regression. 
Results: Among the 8324 participants, the overall prevalence was 9.0% with 10.7% for males and 8.3% for females respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that aged less than 24 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-1.59], being unmarried (aOR=1.64, 95%CI=1.35-2.00), having junior high school or below education level (aOR=1.47, 95%CI=1.13-1.91), having no access to health insurance (aOR=1.27, 95%CI=1.07-1.51), and being positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG, aOR=4.49, 95%CI=3.25-6.21) were significantly associated with CT infection. 
Conclusion: We found that CT infection is prevalent among patients seeking clinic-based STI services in Southern China. Targeted interventions could be implemented for patients with a higher risk of CT infection including those aged less than 24, being unmarried, having junior high school or below education level, having no access to health insurance, and being positive for NG. In addition, routine CT screening could be considered a public health strategy by the government.