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. 1994;1(4):177–181. doi: 10.1155/S1064744994000049

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in Low-Risk Obstetric Patients

Robert K Gribble 1,3,✉, Jean M Ricci-Goodman 1, Richard L Berg 2
PMCID: PMC2364335  PMID: 18475341

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in our rural obstetric population and assess the appropriateness of selective vs. universal prenatal screening.

Methods: Between April 1, 1991 and May 1, 1993, 1,587 patients were screened at their first prenatal visit using a C. trachomatis antigen test. Patients who were unmarried, younger than 20 years of age, or had a history of a previous sexually transmitted disease (STD) were classified as being at high risk for C. trachomatis. All others were considered low risk for C. trachomatis.

Results: The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 2.0%. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the 1,128 patients considered low risk [0.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2–1.2] compared to the 459 patients with one or more identifiable risk factors (5.7%, 95% CI 3.7–8.2).

Conclusions: Routine prenatal screening for C. trachomatis in our population is not appropriate for low-risk patients.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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