P1-S1.32 Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis is a hyperendemic disease in Paramaribo Suriname. Results from a multiethnic society

Abstract

Suriname has many ethnic groups, like Creoles, Maroons, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Caucasians, indigenous Amerindians, and Mixed race persons. To estimate prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and rate of sexual mixing between ethnic groups in Paramaribo, Suriname. Methods. From 2008-2010 436 men and 292 women were included in a high-risk sexually transmitted infections clinic and 829 women in a low-risk birth-control outpatient clinic. Male urine samples and nurse-collected vaginal swabs were obtained for Ct testing (Gen-Probe, USA) in Amsterdam. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for Ct. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was used to genotype Ct, create minimum spanning trees, and identify networks and mixing. Results. Ct prevalence was 23% for men and 20% for women at the high-risk clinic and 10% for women at the low-risk clinic. High Ct prevalence was found among Creoles (20%), Mixed race (17%) and Javanese (16%) indi- bioviduals. Adjusted for age and test site, Ct prevalence was significantly higher among Creole and Javanese individuals compared to Hindustani, OR=2.0 (95%CI=1.2-3.3) and 2.1 (95%CI=1.2-3.8) respectively. Four distinct Ct clusters could be identified, in which a high rate of disassortative sexual mixing was found. Discussion. This is the first report on Ct epidemiology in Suriname. The prevalence is alarmingly high, with 10% at the low-risk clinic and 23% at the high-risk clinic. Testing facilities are needed to minimize further disease burden of Ct. Ct prevalence is not equally distributed among ethnic groups, but there is a high level of inter-ethnic group mixing.