Chlamydia trachomatis infection among asymptomatic pregnant women attending

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among asymptomatic pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Piura, northern Peru. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic and behavioral information, and clinical and gynecologic examinations were performed to detect clinical signs of infection. Cervical swabs were collected to detect the infection due to C. trachomatis using the direct immunofluorescence technique.C. trachomatis infection was detected in 11 (22%) of the 50 asymptomatic pregnant women. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that history of previous abortions (OR = 7.73) and history of previous sexually transmitted infections (STI) (OR = 4.45) were significant independent risk factors for chlamydial infection (P<0.05).A substantial prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in this asymptomatic pregnant women population was found in the study area. These results support a strategy of screening pregnant women for bacterial STIs (followed by treatment of infections), which could be integrated into routine pregnancy care in northern Peru.