PREVALENCE OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS INFECTION IN SUSPECTED PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID) IN PAKISTANI WOMEN

management. Methods: Multi-center, cross-sectional study conducted in Pakistan. Consenting females attending gynecology clinics were enrolled. Bimanual pelvic and per-speculum examinations were performed. Endocervical swabs were examined at a central laboratory for C. trachomatis using PCR. Results: Data for 635/640 eligible patients enrolled between September, 2011 and January, 2011 was analyzed. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 33.2% (95% CI 29.7% - 36.9%). Patients mean age was 31.9 +/- 6.7 years. Common symptoms/signs were lower abdominal pain (95.7%), abnormal vaginal discharge (93.2%), dysmenorrhea (82.8%), and dyspareunia (71.5%). Patients gave a history of PID (35.1%), abortions (37.5%) and infertility (19.2%). Bivariate analysis demonstrated no association between clinical determinants and Chlamydia infection. Only 83/635 (13%) received treatment in accordance with Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Centre of Disease Control guidelines. Commonly recommended regimen prescribed was a combination of ofloxacin and metronidazole. Conclusion: PID from C. trachomatis infection is a public health problem in Pakistan.