Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis Infection among Sexually Active Patients Visiting the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with significant public health implications, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection among sexually active patients attending the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 247 participants aged 18 - 52 years. Participants were recruited using a consecutive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and Chlamydia screening history. Serological tests for IgG and IgM antibodies were performed to determine Chlamydia trachomatis (Monocent, Inc, USA) prevalence. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess associations between infection prevalence and potential risk factors using Chi-square and Multivariate logistics regression analysis with statistical significance set at p Results: The overall seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis was 45.7%, with 42.5% testing positive for IgG and 15.4% for IgM. The highest prevalence was observed among participants aged 18 - 24 years (28.3%; p = 0.009). Female participants exhibited a higher prevalence (31.1%) compared to males. A significant association was found between early sexual debut (15 - 19 years) and Chlamydia prevalence (p = 0.024), with those initiating sexual activity within this age group being 1.92 times more likely to be infected (AOR 1.35 - 8.46, p = 0.027). Vaginal sexual engagement (p = 0.005) and lack of regular screening (p = 0.004) were also significantly associated with higher prevalence. Multivariate analysis showed that individuals aged 25 - 31 years had 3.14 times higher odds of infection (AOR 1.62 - 12.4, p = 0.044) compared to those over 39 years. Conclusion: This study shows a high seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among sexually active individuals, with young adults, early sexual debut, and lack of screening being key risk factors. Targeted interventions, including increased screening, education on sexual health, and early treatment, are essential to reduce the burden of Chlamydia infections in this population.