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

Abstract #121532

Marjan Javanbakht, MPH, PhD(c), Yifei Shi, MS, Marian Eldahaby, BA, Lisa V. Smith, DrPH, MS, and Peter Kerndt, MD, MPH. Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 2615 S. Grand Avenue, Room 500, Los Angeles, CA 90007, 213-744-5926, mjavanbakht@ladhs.org

Evidence suggests that the risk for adverse outcomes and long-term sequelae of Chlamydia trachomatis infections increase with repeat infections (RI). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the incidence and predictors of repeat chlamydial infections among the highest risk group, namely young women. The Los Angeles County STD reportable disease registry was used to identify all women ages 10 – 24 with an initial chlamydia infection between 1999 and 2000 and follow-up data was collected for 5-years. Among the 17,611 young women treated for chlamydia infection, 2,995 (17%) experienced at least one RI during the study period (range: 1-7). Although the overall incidence rate of RI was 4.6 per 100 person years, the highest incidence rate was seen among those aged 10-14 (12 per 100 person years). Not surprisingly, young age was the strongest predictor of RI, with those aged 10-14 being 2.4 times more likely to experience a RI as compared to those aged 20-24 [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.08 – 2.74]. Although being diagnosed in a public clinic was not predictive of RIs, those diagnosed while incarcerated were 28% more likely to experience a RI as compared to those diagnosed in a private clinic (aHR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.14 – 1.44). This study suggests that repeat infections are very common among young women. Improved strategies are needed to treat women's sex partners particularly those in the youngest age groups. Prevention efforts should not only focus on those in the youngest age groups, but also on incarcerated women.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Describe the incidence and time to repeat chlamydial infection among young women in Los Angeles County; 2)Identify predictors and factors associated with repeat chlamydial infections among young women; 3)Discuss the implications of the epidemiology of repeat chlamydial infections in terms of screening and prevention strategies

Keywords: Chlamydia,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation