PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION AMONG ADULTS AGED 18–35 YEARS ATTENDING BAMBILI MEDICALISED HEALTH CENTRE, CAMEROON

Dr. Lukong Hubert Shalanyuy *, Fongie Chanceline Acho, Wam Elvis Chongsi and Ching Nelson Tsoine

ABSTRACT

Background: Chlamydia is an infection caused by an intracellular obligate parasite called Chlamydia trachomatis. Globally sexually transmitted Chlamydia affects approximately 215million people (3.1% of the population). It can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral, anal sex with an infected person and vertical transmission to the newborn from an infected mother during vaginal birth. Rates of reported Chlamydia infection are highest among adolescents and young adults. Women are often asymptomatic without treatment. Chlamydia causes cervicitis and acute salpingitis and is the major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among adults aged 18-35years attending Bambili Medicalised Health Centre in the north west region of Cameroon. Methods: A non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique was used in this study to sample 100 freely consented adults aged 18-35yrs old. With the use of structured questionnaires demographic data and data on risk factors were collected from the respondents. 3ml of blood was collected into a dry tube and serum was extracted. It was then used to screen for Chlamydia trachomatis using Chlamydia Cassette dot IgM/IgG Test Kit (colloidal gold) following all standardized methods as prescribed by the manufacturer. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. The Chi square test was used to analyze for significance between the variables. Statistical significance was considered when p value was equal to or less than 0.05. Results: The study involved 100 participants, with the majority aged 24–29 years (40%), and a higher representation of females (59%). Most of the respondents (80%) had a university-level education, and 85% identified as Christians. A significant number were single (75%) and students (45%), indicating a young and educated population predominantly from a Christian background. This demographic profile suggests a high likelihood of sexual activity in a socially dynamic environment, making them a relevant group for studying sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia trachomatis. The prevalence of Chlamydia infection in the study population was 7% (all IgM), with more males (5 out of 7) testing positive compared to females (2 out of 7). Risk factors significantly associated with infection included having multiple sexual partners (p=0.005), being sexually active (p=0.02), and engaging in unsafe sexual practices (p=0.02). However, knowledge about Chlamydia or its mode of transmission and previous medical history did not show significant associations. These findings highlight the importance of behavioral factors in Chlamydia transmission and underscore the need for targeted sexual health education and interventions. Conclusion: Overall, the study confirms that Chlamydia trachomatis remains a public health concern among sexually active youths. It is therefore advised that public sensitization on the avoidance of the above risk factors and diagnosis should be done in the community and infected individuals be treated with their partners to limit further transmission.

Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis, prevalence, Risk factors, and Bambili.