A survey to estimate the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis among women in Armenia

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Chlamydia infection in Armenia is unknown due to the absence of reporting and surveillance for STIs other than syphilis and HIV. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women of reproductive age in Armenia.Methodology: All women attending the Center of Medical Genetics and Primary Health Care were enrolled in the study with informed consent. Endocervical swab specimens were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical information were linked to laboratory test results.Results: A total of 209 women were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis with an overall prevalence of 4.8%.Conclusions: This pilot study of Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in Armenia showed 4.8% of a group of low-risk women of childbearing age to be infected. These findings emphasize the need for a larger study to more accurately determine the overall prevalence in all women, but also suggest that routine testing may be warranted.

Keywords

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Armenia
• infection
• prevalence.