International Journal of STD and AIDS
Volume 14, Issue 9, 2003, Pages 591-595

Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in migrant female sex workers in Italy (Article)

Matteelli A.* , Beltrame A. , Carvalho A.C.C. , Casalini C. , Forleo M.A. , Gulletta M. , El-Hamad I. , Pollara C. , Tedoldi S. , Carasi S. , Carosi G.
  • a Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • b Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • c Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • d Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • e Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • f Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • g Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • h Inst. Virol./Microbiological Invest., University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
  • i Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy
  • j Department of Preventive Medicine, ASL 2, Brescia, Italy
  • k Inst. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Piazza Spedali Civili, 1-25125 Brescia, Italy

Abstract

We have assessed prevalence, incidence, and factors associated with increased risk for Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection among female migrant sex workers in Italy. In a prospective, observational study, women were offered free screening for sexually transmitted diseases and C. trachomatis was tested by a commercial ligase chain reaction assay in endocervical specimens. Of the 101 women tested, 14 (14%) were positive. The odds ratio (OR) for C. trachomatis infection was significantly higher for females under 24 years (OR=4.31), women from Eastern Europe (OR=4.80), and migrants less than 12 months in Italy (OR=4.41). In a multivariate logistic regression model, only origin from Eastern Europe remained independently associated to a higher risk for C. trachomatis infection (OR=6.05). This study provides evidence for high prevalence and incidence of C. trachomatis genital infection in migrant sex workers. Women from Eastern Europe have a significantly higher risk. These data reinforce the need for targeted control interventions.

Author Keywords

Prevalence Female sex workers Incidence Immigration C. trachomatis

Index Keywords

prospective study Mobile Health Units mass screening genital tract infection Prospective Studies human Health Behavior Ethnic Groups priority journal Eastern Europe Logistic Models screening test female worker sexually transmitted disease migrant worker Humans Adolescent uterine endocervix ligase chain reaction female risk factor Risk Factors Multivariate Analysis prostitution prevalence Incidence Article major clinical study adult Italy Transients and Migrants Chlamydia Infections Chlamydia trachomatis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0042335824&doi=10.1258%2f095646203322301031&partnerID=40&md5=24da080b8a86018d15b4d3e0071304ef
DOI: 10.1258/095646203322301031
ISSN: 09564624
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English