Criteria for selective screening for Chlamydia trachomatis

BACKGROUND: On the basis of studies in ethnically diverse populations, it appears that the best strategy for prevention of infections is screening of all women aged 25 years or younger. GOAL: The goal was to determine screening criteria in an ethnically and socioeconomically homogenous population with low prevalence of genital chlamydia infection. STUDY DESIGN: Women (N = 1198) attending two family planning clinics were screened for and surveyed for risk factors. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of infection was 3.5%. Risk markers for the infection included marital status, number of sex partners, and age. Screening women aged 25 years or younger would have identified 28% of all chlamydial infections, while screening all women aged 30 years or younger would have identified 83% of infections. CONCLUSION: Because of its feasibility, age appears to still be the best screening criterion. However, extension of the screening to include women up to 30 years of age should be considered.