Prevalence and determinants of asymptomatic chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women at labour at a teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy is a significant concern due to its potential complications for both mothers and infants. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia infection among pregnant women in labor and its association with neonatal outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 pregnant women at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti. Chlamydia trachomatis infection was diagnosed using the JusChek Chlamydia rapid test kit, and neonatal testing was performed on the newborns of infected mothers. Socio-demographic data and clinical histories were collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. Results: The prevalence of Chlamydia infection among pregnant women was 13.8%. Vertical transmission occurred in 61.5% of cases, with 9.6% of newborns testing positive for the infection. A significant association was found between maternal age and Chlamydia infection, with younger women being more affected. No statistically significant association was found between infection and other factors such as parity, family structure, or education level. Conclusion: Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains prevalent among pregnant women, with a notable vertical transmission rate to newborns. Further studies with improved neonatal outcome assessment and larger sample sizes are needed to strengthen the understanding of Chlamydia’s impact on maternal and child health. This study provides valuable insights for future screening and prevention strategies.