![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Background: Adequate screening of high-risk women may lower rates and complications of Chlamydia (Ct) infection among communities with high morbidity.
Objectives: To evaluate gaps in Ct screening coverage, we sought to identify factors associated with being symptomatic at diagnosis among women in
Methods: Using the Minnesota Department of Health STD Surveillance System, 2004 – 2008, we identified females who were laboratory-confirmed Ct cases. Characteristics that could be associated with symptomatic status were taken from the confidential case report.
Results: Over our study period 46,760 Ct cases were reported among females, 7,667 (16.4%) of whom were pregnant. Rates of symptomatic infection at diagnosis were lower among pregnant women versus non-pregnant (23.5% vs. 37.9%, p<0.001, respectively), however, race modified this association. Among pregnant women, 18.3% of White and 33.5% of Black women were symptomatic, while 32.9% of White and 47.8% of Black non-pregnant counterparts were symptomatic. Age, calendar year, metropolitan location, and type of clinic were also significant univariate factors of symptomatic status. Using a multivariate logistic regression for non-pregnant women, metropolitan women were 20% more likely than non-metropolitan women to be symptomatic at diagnosis for Ct (95% CI: 1.13 – 1.26), whereas Black, Native American, and Multi-Race women were significantly more likely than White women to be symptomatic (adj. ORs = 1.40, 1.25, 1.46, respectively). When examining pregnant women, these factors were more likely associated with symptomatic status at diagnosis; metropolitan (adj. OR = 1.98), Black (1.68), Native American (1.52), and Multi-Race (1.51).
Conclusions: Drastic disparities exist when examining factors associated with symptomatic cases of
Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research: Targeted screening programs could be implemented among communities with significantly higher rates of symptomatic infections.