BMC Public Health
Volume 8, 2008

Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in undocumented migrants undergoing voluntary termination of pregnancy: A prospective cohort study (Article) (Open Access)

Wolff H.* , Lourenço A. , Bodenmann P. , Epiney M. , Uny M. , Andreoli N. , Irion O. , Gaspoz J.-M. , Dubuisson J.-B.
  • a Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland, Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
  • b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • c Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
  • d Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • e Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • f Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • g Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • h Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • i Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Background. Chlamydia trachomatis infection (CTI) is the most frequent sexual transmitted disease (STI) in Switzerland but its prevalence in undocumented migrants is unknown. We aimed to compare CTI prevalence among undocumented migrants undergoing termination of pregnancy (ToP) to the prevalence among women with residency permit. Methods. This prospective cohort study included all pregnant, undocumented women presenting from March 2005 to October 2006 to the University hospital for ToP. The control group consisted of a systematic sample of pregnant women with legal residency permit coming to the same hospital during the same time period for ToP. Results. One hundred seventy five undocumented women and 208 women with residency permit (controls) were included in the study. Mean ages were 28.0 y (SD 5.5) and 28.2 y (SD 7.5), respectively (p = 0.77). Undocumented women came primarily from Latin-America (78%). Frequently, they lacked contraception (23%, controls 15%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.04;2.9). Thirteen percent of undocumented migrants were found to have CTI (compared to 4.4% of controls; OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4;7.3). Conclusion. This population of undocumented, pregnant migrants consisted primarily of young, Latino-American women. Compared to control women, undocumented migrants showed higher prevalence rates of genital CTI, which indicates that health professionals should consider systematic screening for STI in this population. There is a need to design programs providing better access to treatment and education and to increase migrants' awareness of the importance of contraception and transmission of STI. © 2008 Wolff et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

induced abortion Abortion, Induced prospective study university hospital Prospective Studies human Cohort Studies controlled study sexual transmission Young Adult Humans Hospitals, University pregnancy termination female Contraception pregnancy population research prevalence isolation and purification Article major clinical study adult migration cohort analysis Transients and Migrants social class Switzerland Chlamydia Infections chlamydiasis Chlamydia trachomatis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-58149095173&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-8-391&partnerID=40&md5=4e67a291b57ff4cdf30d65c187d471e3
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-391
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English