Chlamydia infection: Population specific risk factors for female university students

Genital chlamydia infection is increasing on a national level resulting in millions in health care costs. Chlamydia related morbidity includes pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia prostatitis for men, and in some cases infertility. Despite decades of primary and secondary prevention measures, including the distribution of free condoms, health education programs, and inexpensive treatment, nationally and locally genital chlamydia infection rates have risen in young women.; The purpose of this research was to document rates of genital chlamydia infection in male and female university students who access health care services at a university student health care center and describe possible population specific risk factors for female university students. First, reported cases of genital chlamydia were tracked and demographics calculated with the cooperation of the laboratory manager at the research site. Incidence rates were higher than national rates, 5.8% versus 3.8%. Those infected were more likely to be female, living in apartments off campus, 20 years old, and white.; Then, female university students who accessed services at the student health care center were recruited using an institutional review board approved flyer to complete an anonymous questionnaire to gather data on high risk drinking behaviors, sexual risk taking, gynecologic complaints, condom use, and condom use self-efficacy. This sample of female students was predominantly junior and senior class level. They reported high-risk drinking and sexual risk-taking behaviors at rates greater than 67%. The mean number of sexual partners for those students completing the questionnaire was 1.6 in the past year. The number of sexual partners may also predict the likelihood of a gynecologic complaint, greater sexual activity, and subsequent sexually transmitted infection. Further analysis demonstrated no relationships between high-risk drinking, sexual risk taking, and condom use self efficacy scale scores.; This research demonstrates the need for prevention efforts through comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive health services on a university campus. Further research is planned to examine the impact of the transition to a university campus life, including sociocultural factors such as peer group subcultures, gender based power issues, high-risk drinking, and sexual risk taking.