Genital chlamydial infection among male attendees at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in urban Taiwan.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among male patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in urban Taiwan. METHODS: From July 2003 to June 2004, all male attendees at an STD clinic were invited to participate in this study. Attendees provided a first-void urine sample for examination for C. trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. RESULTS: A total of 390 patients provided first-void urine specimens for testing for C. trachomatis. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 17.7% (95% CI 16.3-19.1%). The age-specific prevalence was higher among patients aged under 20 years and lowest among those aged over 30 years. Approximately 40% of the infections were asymptomatic or subclinical. Younger age (aged 30 years; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31-4.34), inconsistent use of condoms (AOR=2.10, 95% CI=1.21-3.54), and being symptomatic at the time of testing (dysuria, urethral discharge, painful urination, urethral irritation/itching; AOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.16-3.40) were shown to be risk factors for C. trachomatis infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of untreated asymptomatic chlamydial infection is high in young adults in Taipei. Young Taiwanese men attending STD clinics should be screened routinely for chlamydial infection.