Prevalence estimates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Belgium: results from two cross-sectional studies
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Fischer et al. 2021
Aim: This study aimed to estimate the point-prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the broader Belgian population, to inform evidence-based prevention and control strategies.
Affiliations:
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Gustav III:s Boulevard 40, 169 73, Solna, Sweden
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
- Department of Clinical Sciences, National Reference Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Clinical Reference Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
- Service Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
Summary: No statistically significant difference of Chlamydia infection was found between men and women or different age groups. However, while Chlamydia screening results often point towards young adolescents, this study emphasizes that the male population as well as adults older than 35 years of age also need to be considered in the future. Furthermore, civil relationship status, sexual intercourse with a casual partner and having multiple ( >3 ) sexual partners in the last 12 months, were associated with a higher relative risk of Chlamydia infection.