CDC guidelines recommend screening sexually-active women aged <26 years for chlamydia annually and targeted screening of women aged >25 years with risk factors. However, these risk factors are not adequately defined; risk factor data are not consistently collected; and current criteria are not sufficiently predictive of chlamydial infection in older women.

Objectives of Symposium:

Review current chlamydia screening practices and efforts to assess risk factors and refine guidelines for screening women over age 25.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research:

An enhanced understanding of screening practices and risk factors predictive of chlamydial infection among older women could improve the efficiency of screening programs and targeted use of limited resources.