A community based study of urogenital chlamydia trachomatis in males aged fifteen years and above, Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases in sexually active males and females. Infertility is one of the serious complications of urogenital chlamydial infections. This study was carried out in Chuwahit town and the surrounding village, which is located southwest of Gondar town. The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis among males aged fifteen years and above. The design used was a cross sectional survey. First catch urine was collected from males 15 years and above and interviews were made using a questionnaire. The urine samples were tested with an Enzyme Immuno-Assay (EIA), which is useful in rapid detection of chlamydia antigen. Among 199 males included in the study, thirty-three (16.6%) had laboratory evidence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis. The mean (SD) age of the study subjects was 29.3 (+/- 9) years. Students (8 out of 21, 38%) had the highest prevalence of urogenital Chlamydia compared to the other groups (OR = 4.10, 95% CI = 1.12, 14.48). The magnitude of urogenital chlamydia infection in males was high in the study area. Health professionals need to consider genital Chlamydial infections in the management and control of sexually transmitted diseases. Increasing the awareness of students towards urogenital Chlamydial trachomatis and teaching them about the benefits of using condoms is recommended.