Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in the Lower Genital Tract of Infertile Women

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract, patient demographics and reproductive health, among infertile women being treated at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Design: Descriptive study

Setting: Infertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Subjects: Infertile women attending the Clinic between June 2000 and June 2001.

Methods: Screening for Chlamydial trachomatis was initiated at Srinagarind Hospital’s Infertility Clinic in June 2000.  Specimens were taken by endocervical swabs at the first visit from 70 consecutive patients for PCR and GENPROBE testing.

Demographic and reproductive health data were recorded.

Outcome measurement: The prevalence of chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract in infertile women being treated at the Hospital.

Results: The overall chlamydial infection rate was 1.43% (0.04–7.70 95% CI). The average of studied women was 29.6 years.  The proportion of primary and secondary infertility was 81.4 and 18.6 %, respectively.  The average length of infertility was 4.6 years.  Only 28.6% of the consecutive women had previously used contraception of which 85% was a combined contraceptive tablets.

Conclusion: The prevalence of chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract of infertile women at Srinagarind Hospital was 1.43%.

Keywords: Chlamydial infection; Infertile women