Chlamydia screening of antenatal women in Melbourne between 16-25 years

Objective: Routine chlamydia screening of pregnant women is not widely practiced in Australia and limited data are available on the prevalence of infection in this population. This cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of genital chlamydial infection among pregnant women aged 16-25 attending antenatal clinics in Melbourne. Methods: Consecutive women attending 4 major maternity services covering northern, western, eastern and south-eastern Melbourne were approached between October 2006 and May 2007. Of 931 eligible women (those aged 16-25 who had not already been tested for chlamydia) attending the clinics at the time of recruitment, 882 (95%) were approached and 845 (96%) agreed to participate. Participants completed a questionnaire which was translated into Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic, and provided first-void urine which was tested for Chlamydia trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eighteen percent of women had a preferred language other than English. Of the 826 tests which were non assessable, 30 were positive representing a prevalence rate of 3.6% (95% CI: 2.5-5.1%). However, among women aged 16-20, 14 of 203 women were infected, representing a prevalence rate of 6.9% (95% CI: 3.8-11.3%). All infected women received treatment with azithromycin and all who have had repeat chlamydia tests to date have been negative. Conclusion: In this study of a wide cross-section of pregnant Melbourne women, chlamydial infection was common, particularly among teenagers. Screening was highly acceptable, with the great majority of women approached agreeing to be screened.