Chlamydia trachomatis screening in a family planning clinic.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of chlamydia in women attending a family planning clinic and to explore the feasibility of making chlamydia screening part of the routine procedure for all women. This study also investigated clinical and demographic parameters that may be associated with chlamydial infections.

Methods: Subjects were 239 female patients who attended the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Wichita, Kansas, during July 1990. Subjects included all patients receiving pelvic examinations regardless of indication. Each subject was screened for C. trachomatis using Testpack Chlamydia (Abbott Labs).

Results: Of the 239 women screened, 11 (4.6%) had positive Testpack Chlamydia tests. Young age (< 24 years), self-reported bleeding, and inflammation found on Papanicolaou exams were positively associated with chlamydial infection.

Conclusion: These parameters provide additional information for the clinician deciding who should be screened for chlamydia infections.