PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AMONG YOUNG WOMEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT USING NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TECHNIQUE (NAAT)

Abstract

Background information: Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most
common sexually transmitted infections in the world. It is mostly asymptomatic in
women and therefore difficult to diagnose at times. There are various diagnostic
methods for the identification of this organism with varying degrees of sensitivity and
specificity.
There is no record of the prevalence rate of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among
undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt using Strand Displacement
and Amplification method. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of and
predictive risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among female
undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt.
Methods: About four hundred undergraduate, non pregnant, asymptomatic female
students below the age of 30 years were randomly selected and given questionnaires
with self admissible vaginal swab sticks. The participants completed the questionnaire
on lifestyle and provided vaginal swab samples. The samples were analyzed using the
BD Probe Tec ET machine (Strand Displacement and Amplification technique).
Results: Of the four hundred sexually active participants, forty four tested positive(
prevalence rate of 11%) and some of the associated risks factors identified were;
having multiple sexual partners especially in the last 90 days, irregular use of condom
and past histories of sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusion: Knowing the morbidity that is associated with this infection once early
diagnosis is delayed, it is highly recommended that this screening should be encouraged
in all tertiary institutions and hospitals in this country to enhance faster diagnosis.

PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AMONG YOUNG WOMEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT USING NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TECHNIQUE (NAAT)