Prevalence of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> and associated factors in pregnant adolescent and young adult females from Morelos, Mexico: A cross-sectional study.

Background<i>Chlamydia trachomati</i>s (<i>Ct</i>) is considered the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide, adolescent and young adult female are at high risk of contracting this infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of <i>Ct</i> and associated factors in pregnant adolescents and young adults (PAYA).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020 with Mexican PAYA famales aged 12-24 years, who attended health services for pregnancy care. <i>Ct</i> was detected by PCR of the <i>omp1</i> gene. The prevalence of <i>Ct</i> was reported with a 95% confidence interval. Factors associated with <i>Ct</i> prevalence were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of <i>Ct</i> was 12.9% (95% CI: 9-15) and 18.5% of them had coinfection with HSV-2 (aOR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.49-6.42). Frequent alcohol consumption (aOR 2.3, 95% CI:1.07-5.08), antibiotic use in the last year (aOR 1.9, 95% CI:1.06-3.39), ≥3 lifetime sexual partners (aOR 0.5, 95% CI:0.24-0.98) and hormonal contraceptive use (aOR 2.2, 95% CI:1.08-4.34) were associated with <i>Ct</i>.ConclusionThe prevalence of <i>Ct</i> in PAYA is high. Screening should be performed in symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant females to reduce the risk of vertical transmission and the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.