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Background <p><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide and has been associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes. However, evidence on its burden, clinical presentation, and associated factors among women with spontaneous abortion in Uganda remains limited. This study determined the prevalence of <i>C. trachomatis</i> infection, described its clinical presentation, and identified associated factors among women presenting with spontaneous abortion at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.</p> Methods <p>A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 209 women with spontaneous abortion at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. High cervical swab specimens were collected and tested for <i>C. trachomatis</i> using polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with infection.</p> Results <p>Among the 209 women enrolled, the majority were aged 20–29 years (66.5%), married (84.7%), and unemployed (80.9%). The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed <i>C. trachomatis</i> infection was 18.7% (39/209; 95% CI: 13.6%–24.7%). Among infected women, pelvic pain was the most frequently reported symptom (58.9%), followed by per vaginal discharge (33.3%), while 7.7% were asymptomatic. Factors independently associated with <i>C. trachomatis</i> infection included age 20–29 years (aOR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.34–18.94), previous abortion (aOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.22–9.91), per vaginal discharge (aOR = 6.34, 95% CI: 1.68–23.85), and pelvic pain (aOR = 6.57, 95% CI: 2.63–16.41). HIV-positive status was also associated with higher odds of infection (aOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.05–7.28), although the estimate was imprecise.</p> Conclusions <p>Nearly one in five women presenting with spontaneous abortion had laboratory-confirmed <i>C. trachomatis</i> infection. The findings suggest that women with reproductive risk factors and suggestive clinical symptoms may benefit from targeted testing and timely management. Strengthening access to diagnostic screening within reproductive health services may improve detection of otherwise unrecognized infections and support better reproductive health outcomes.</p>

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Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women with spontaneous abortion in Uganda: burden, clinical presentation, and associated factors in a hospital-based cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月22日

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  • Ahmed Jama Nugaal Hamdi,
  • Musa Kasujja,
  • Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe,
  • Maxwell Okello,
  • Theodore Nteziyaremye,
  • Abdulganiy Babatunde agbaje,
  • Geoffrey Bataringaya,
  • Sara Liban,
  • Ronard Musinguzi,
  • Sawda Abdikarim Sheikh Isse,
  • Fatima Abdirizak Muse,
  • Abubakar Khalif Abdullahi,
  • Fathi Ali Araye,
  • Theoneste Hakizimana

摘要

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide and has been associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes. However, evidence on its burden, clinical presentation, and associated factors among women with spontaneous abortion in Uganda remains limited. This study determined the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection, described its clinical presentation, and identified associated factors among women presenting with spontaneous abortion at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 209 women with spontaneous abortion at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. High cervical swab specimens were collected and tested for C. trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with infection.

Results

Among the 209 women enrolled, the majority were aged 20–29 years (66.5%), married (84.7%), and unemployed (80.9%). The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed C. trachomatis infection was 18.7% (39/209; 95% CI: 13.6%–24.7%). Among infected women, pelvic pain was the most frequently reported symptom (58.9%), followed by per vaginal discharge (33.3%), while 7.7% were asymptomatic. Factors independently associated with C. trachomatis infection included age 20–29 years (aOR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.34–18.94), previous abortion (aOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.22–9.91), per vaginal discharge (aOR = 6.34, 95% CI: 1.68–23.85), and pelvic pain (aOR = 6.57, 95% CI: 2.63–16.41). HIV-positive status was also associated with higher odds of infection (aOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.05–7.28), although the estimate was imprecise.

Conclusions

Nearly one in five women presenting with spontaneous abortion had laboratory-confirmed C. trachomatis infection. The findings suggest that women with reproductive risk factors and suggestive clinical symptoms may benefit from targeted testing and timely management. Strengthening access to diagnostic screening within reproductive health services may improve detection of otherwise unrecognized infections and support better reproductive health outcomes.