Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis IgA, IgM and IgG Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors among Sexually Active Individuals at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, West Cameroon

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Infections caused by this pathogen are usually symptomatic in men and asymptomatic in about 2/3 of women resulting in a variety of clinical complications.

Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of immunological markers and the risk factors associated with the seropositivity to C. trachomatis infection in sexually active individuals visiting the Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, West region Cameroon

Study Design: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted between July and September 2020 at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, Cameroon.

Methods: A total of 154 participants were recruited during the data collection period. An indirect ELISA method was used to analyse participant’s serum samples. Risk factors were assessed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS 25.

Results: The seroprevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 38.3% (95%CI: 30.6 - 46.0). Only 39.6% (95%CI: 31.6 - 47.3) of the study population had never been in contact with the bacterium. The reinfection rate among participants was 8.4% (95%CI: 4.0 - 12.8). Results revealed that being Male is a protective factor against the infection [aOR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.56; P ꞊ .007]. The non-use of condom [aOR: 21.58; 95% CI: 3.53 – 132.06; P ꞊ .001] and having encountered three or more sexual partners [aOR: 9.90; 95%CI: 1.07 – 91.60; P ꞊ .043] were the significant predictors of Chlamydia seropositivity.

Conclusion: The implementation of proactive strategies to curb down the spread of the infection is necessary in this locality. This can be done by providing NAATs to as many health facilities as possible, educating the population and standardizing treatment protocols.