Prevention and Control of Genital Chlamydial Infections

Abstract

As in all epidemiological situations, recognition of the extent of the problem is important. Generally speaking, the prevalence of C. trachomatis infections has been greatly underestimated in most countries. However, wherever chlamydial infections have been registered, they have been recognized as one of the most common infections in the community studied. For example, in Sweden it has been estimated that up to one-third of the entire population of young people will have had one or more genital chlamydial infections during their lifetime, i.e., if the present epidemic situation does not change markedly during the years to come. Projections from the United States are more optimistic (Judson, 1985), although prevalence figures from the two countries are very similar.