PREVALENCE AND RISK OF FEMALE GENITAL INFECTION BY CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To verify the risk factors related to the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in sexually active women. Material and Methods: A systematic review through electronic searches was performed in the databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED, and SciELO. Controlled and uncontrolled descriptors were used, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, prevalence, risk factors, according to the PICO and COCHRANE strategies. Results: We selected descriptive articles on risk behaviors among adolescents and young people, in Portuguese, English and Spanish from PUBMED (n=220), MEDLINE (n=109), LILACS (n=138) and SciELO (n=68). Of these, 50 articles reported prevalence data ranging from 0.84% to 45.2%. Among the 15 Brazilian articles, the prevalence ranged from 5% to 33.3%. The most frequent risk factors/predisposing risk factors to infection by CT were: aged 20-25 years, beginning of sexual intercourse, partner with STD history, history of multiple sexual partners, lack of adherence to sexual protection methods (condom), nulliparity and clinical aspects that are not observed by health professionals during routine examinations. Conclusion: Prevalence ranging between 4% and 20% was observed in most of the analyzed articles, and in Brazilian regions it was generally higher than 5%. Multiple conditions can be involved in the CT infection, requiring further studies in different populations to better characterize the risk factors. DESCRIPTORS Chlamydia Trachomatis. Risk Factors. Prevalence.