2 research outputs found
Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the general population of women in Qatar
Objectives The Arabian Gulf region has limited
epidemiological data related to sexually transmitted
infections. The objective of this study was to estimate
the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection
among general population women in Doha, Qatar.
Methods Endocervical swabs were collected from
healthy women attending primary healthcare centres in
Doha, June–December 2008. The specimens were tested
for C trachomatis by a commercially available PCR-based
assay. Data on basic socio-demographic characteristics,
medical history and sexual behaviour were obtained
using self-administered questionnaires. The prevalence of
C trachomatis and of background variables were
stratified by nationality, Qatari nationals versus
non-Qatari residents.
Results A total of 377 women were enrolled in the
study, out of whom 351 (37.9% Qataris, 62.1% non-
Qataris) were tested for the presence of C trachomatis in
their specimens. The mean age of participants was
41.2 years, and the vast majority (93%, 95% CI 90.3 to
95.7) were married. The mean age at sexual debut was
significantly lower among Qatari women compared with
non-Qatari women (19.2 vs 22.2 years, respectively
p<0.001), but the mean number of reported lifetime
sexual partners (1.1 partner) was nearly the same in
both groups (p=0.110). The prevalence of C trachomatis
infection was 5.3% among Qatari women and 5.5%
among non-Qatari women, with no statistically
significant difference between both groups ( p=0.923).
Conclusions The prevalence of C trachomatis among
women was higher than expected, with no significant
difference between Qatari nationals and expatriate
residents. The higher prevalence may reflect, in part, the
limited access to and use of chlamydia screening and
management.Research Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University (QUUG-CAS-DHS-10/11-6);
Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP 4-924-3-251);
The Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core at the Weill Cornell Medical Colleg