Seroprevalence of Chlamydia in Pregnancy in a Northwestern Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is now being considered an “obstetric pathogen” due to its potential in causing adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Consequent to being the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted infection, screening is recommended at the initial visit of antenatal care, but few countries have routine pregnancy screening and treatment programmes. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Ct infection among pregnant women, and to describe sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive profile of seropositive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: Socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive profiles were sought from 90 consenting pregnant women that were conveniently sampled using a proforma in a cross-sectional descriptive study from January to March of 2018. Their sera were assayed for the presence of Ct immunoglobulin G (IgG) using ELISA. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Categorical variables were represented using frequency and percentages while associations between categorical variables were determined using Fisher's exact test with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The prevalence of Ct infection was found to be 3.3% (3/90). The mean age of infected women was 34.3 ± 4.6 years. All seropositive women had a personal source of income and had tertiary education. The mean parity was 3 and only 1 (33.3%) of the seropositive women had prior pregnancy loss. Conclusion: This study found a low prevalence of Ct infection among pregnant women. Seropositive pregnant women were aged over 25 years, well educated, had a personal source of income, and had a favourable reproductive profile similar to seronegative women.