Sexual behaviour and Chlamydia trachomatis infections in German female urban adolescents, 2004

This ad-hoc observational study, conducted in the metropolitan area of Berlin during 2004, revealed that the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections in female urban adolescents self-presenting at their gynaecologist without (n =397) or with (n =124) symptoms of CT infection was 5.5% (95%CI3.7-8.2%) and 9.7% (95%CI5.6-16.2%), respectively. The prevalence of CT infection was significantly dependent on the number of lifetime sexual partners. Condom use was inconsistent, and lack of knowledge about CT infections and associated health risks predominated in this cohort. The data indicated a need for health education concerning CT to be targeted at female adolescents.