| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The number of diagnosed cases of <it>Chlamydia trachomatis</it> infection has been increasing in the past years in Norway although the testing rate has been relatively stable. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of genital <it>Chlamydia trachomatis</it> in young men and women in one county in Norway and determine associated factors in order to better target preventive measures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We mailed to a random sample of 10 000 persons aged 18–25 in Rogaland county a mail-back urine sample kit and a self-administered questionnaire with questions on socio-demographic details, health seeking behaviour and symptoms of and history of sexually transmitted diseases. Associations between current <it>Clamydia trachomatis</it> infection and the above mentioned factors were studied by multiple logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate among women was 18.9% (930/4923) and 11.9% (605/5077) among men. The prevalence of <it>Chlamydia trachomatis</it> infection was 5.8% (95% CI 4.5-6.8) among women and 5.1% (95% CI 3.8-6.8) among men. For men a greater number of partners during the last year (p for trend < 0.001), and living in a municipality without a local youth clinic increased the odds of infection (OR 8.6, 95% CI 2.2-33.9). For women a greater number of partners during the last year (p < 0.001) and not having consulted a family doctor for STIs (OR 2.1 95% CI 1.1-4.2) were positively associated with infection while not having a previous <it>Chlamydia trachomatis</it> diagnosis decreased the odds of having this infection (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate the importance of having a visible youth clinic in each municipality. It also suggests targeting women who have had a previous <it>Chlamydia trachomatis</it> infection diagnosed before.</p>
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