Retrospective Review of Prenatal Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Screening in Alberta: 2018-2022

Abstract

A retrospective 5-year province-wide evaluation of prenatal Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) screening in Alberta, Canada, was carried out to assess compliance with the provincial recommendations for universal prenatal screening as a prevention for neonatal ophthalmia. Screening generally improved across the province each year, 82.1% in 2018 and reaching 87.3% in 2022. Women in the age group under 25 years were the most likely to not have the recommended first-trimester screening and demonstrated the highest prevalence of GC and CT infections. The results of this investigation demonstrate that continued improvements are needed to achieve universal prenatal GC/CT screening in Alberta.

Keywords: Canada; chlamydia; gonorrhea; ophthalmia neonatorum; prenatal diagnosis.