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Abstract #162773

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Adelbert B. James, PhD, MPH, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 100 Edgewood Ave, NE, Room 802, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-523-1996 ext 104, abtjames@yahoo.com

Purpose: To observe epidemiologic patterns of recurrent chlamydial infections and health disparities in geographical settings

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60,000 randomly selected women who attended family planning, STD and prenatal clinics in eight southeastern states between 1999 and 2000. Each client was screened for chlamydial infection using the Nuclei Acid Probe. Clients were between the ages of 10 and 24 years and were categorized into rural and urban areas. The mean distance from each client's residence to the clinic providing services was calculated to evaluate physical access to care. Chi square analysis and the logistic regression model were used to determine correlations among age, race and distance.

Results: A total of 6,640 women were infected with chlamydia and 842 were reinfected during the study period. In urban areas, 16 to 19 year old women were more likely to be reinfected than 20 to 24 year old women. In rural areas, Black women were 2.26 times more likely to be reinfected than Whites (p<.05). In urban areas, Black women were 1.35 times more likely to be reinfected than Whites (p<.05). Rural clients residing further away from the clinic were 24.2% more likely to be reinfected (p=0.006). Overall, rural clients were more likely to have a recurrent chlamydia infection.

Conclusion: Increased health services are needed to reduce health disparities in rural environments.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify risk factors for recurrent chlamydial infections among young women.
• 2. Describe adverse reproductive health outcomes of recurrent chlamydial infections
• 3. Develop strategies to reduce the prevalence of chlamydia in underserved areas.

Keywords: Chlamydia, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout