Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118278

Adelbert B. James, PhD, MPH and William A. Chamberlain, MPA. Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 100 Edgewood Avenue, NE, Room 802, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-523-1996 ext 104, abjames@emory.edu

Background: Genital chlamydia infections are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Consequently, sexually active adolescents are at risk for developing infertility and are between 2-5 times more likely to be infected with HIV infections.

Methods: Clients were screened for chlamydia at STD and family planning clinics in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi between 2001 and 2003. We analyzed the data on African American adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 years who received chlamydia screening.

Results: Approximately 47,770 asymptomatic African American adolescents were screened for chlamydial infections. The overall chlamydia positivity in the three states was 15.9%. The chlamydia positivity among males and females were 12.6% and 16.6% respectively. African American pregnant females were 1.33 times more likely than their White counterparts to be chlamydia positive (95% CI=1.24, 1.44). African American males were 2.38 times more likely than White males to be infected (95% CI=1.88, 3.01). African American females were 4.13 times more likely than their White counterparts to be chlamydia positive (95% CI=3.88, 4.39).

Conclusion: African American adolescents in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi are at high risk for contracting chlamydia infections. The data suggest the need for increased chlamydia screening.

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