ArticleBMC infectious diseases2021
Prevalence estimates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Belgium: results from two cross-sectional studies.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Ureaplasma urealyticum in males of andrology clinics in Nanjing, China: a 10 years retrospective study.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Vaginal Microbiota Dysbiosis and Infections: A Comprehensive Review of Microbial and Therapeutic Perspectives.International journal of women's health · 2026Review
- Attitudes toward partner notification ofFrontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Detection of sexually transmitted infection agents in pregnant women using multiplex polymerase chain reaction method.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- Prevalence and Genetic Characterization ofThe Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale · 2025Article
- Sexually transmitted infections in Belgian general practices: a nationwide continuing surveillance study, data from 2015 to 2020.Primary health care research & development · 2024Article
- Characteristics of reproductive tract infections caused by common pathogens among the outpatients of reproductive medicine center in Putian: retrospective study.BMC infectious diseases · 2024Article
- Molecular Epidemiology of Genital Infections in Campania Region: A Retrospective Study.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is the most diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in Belgium. Screening programs focus on young women, due to the implications of chronic asymptomatic infections for reproductive health. Thereby, the frequency of infections in men and older adults is underestimated. This study aimed to estimate the point-prevalence of chlamydia in the broader Belgian population, to inform evidence-based prevention and control strategies.
methodsWe conducted two cross-sectional prevalence studies of chlamydia infection in the population of Belgium aged 16-59 years, 2018-2020. In the CT1 study 12,000 representative individuals were randomly selected from the national register and invited by letter to collect a urine sample at home. The CT2 study used urine samples collected through the Belgian Health Examination Survey. Molecular detection of chlamydia DNA was performed using Xpert
resultsThe population-wide weighted estimated prevalence was 1.54% (95% CI 0.78-3) in CT1 and 1.76% (95% CI 0.63-4) in CT2. We observed no statistically significant difference between men and women or age groups. Civil relationship status (OR = 14.1 (95% CI 1.78-112), p < 0.01), sexual intercourse with a casual partner (OR = 6.31 (95% CI 1.66-24.1), p < 0.01) and > 3 sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR = 4.53 (95% CI 1.10-18.6), p = 0.02) were associated with higher relative risk for chlamydia infection.
conclusionNationwide prevalence studies are relevant to assess the distribution of chlamydia and inform public health actions. The overall low prevalence and heterogeneous distribution of chlamydia in the general Belgian population needs to be considered for future strategies and potential harm of testing and treating asymptomatic individuals need to be taken into account. Effective case management should include appropriate treatment of symptomatic patients and partner notification, and prevention strategies should encourage behaviors such as condom use.
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