Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in Asymptomatic Brazilian Military Conscripts

Abstract

Background: Few data are available on the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among young men in Brazil. Objectives: To assess prevalence and risk factors for C. trachomatis infection in male military conscripts. Methods: In 2000, 627 young men recruited for military service in Goiania, Goiás, Brazil, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a demographic and sexual risk behavior questionnaire, and urine samples were screened for C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The prevalence of chlamydial infection among asymptomatic conscripts was 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3–7.3). In multivariate analysis, failure to use condoms (odds ratio [OR]_adjusted 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–23.4; P = 0.028) and having more than 2 sexual partners in the last 2 months (OR_adjusted 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1–6.9; P = 0.049) were significantly associated with positivity for C. trachomatis. Conclusions: A substantial number of asymptomatic young male military recruits were infected with C. trachomatis, and risk factors for this infection were related to sexual behavior. Further research is required to determine if routine screening may be considered as a strategy to reduce prevalence among this population.