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ABSTRACT: Background
Accurate information about the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is needed to assess national prevention and control measures.Methods
We systematically reviewed population-based cross-sectional studies that estimated chlamydia prevalence in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States and non-European high income countries from January 1990 to August 2012. We examined results in forest plots, explored heterogeneity using the I² statistic, and conducted random effects meta-analysis if appropriate. Meta-regression was used to examine the relationship between study characteristics and chlamydia prevalence estimates.Results
We included 25 population-based studies from 11 EU/EEA countries and 14 studies from five other high income countries. Four EU/EEA Member States reported on nationally representative surveys of sexually experienced adults aged 18-26 years (response rates 52-71%). In women, chlamydia point prevalence estimates ranged from 3.0-5.3%; the pooled average of these estimates was 3.6% (95% CI 2.4, 4.8, I² 0%). In men, estimates ranged from 2.4-7.3% (pooled average 3.5%; 95% CI 1.9, 5.2, I² 27%). Estimates in EU/EEA Member States were statistically consistent with those in other high income countries (I² 0% for women, 6% for men). There was statistical evidence of an association between survey response rate and estimated chlamydia prevalence; estimates were higher in surveys with lower response rates, (p = 0.003 in women, 0.018 in men).Conclusions
Population-based surveys that estimate chlamydia prevalence are at risk of participation bias owing to low response rates. Estimates obtained in nationally representative samples of the general population of EU/EEA Member States are similar to estimates from other high income countries.
SUBMITTER: Redmond SM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4304822 | biostudies-literature | 2015
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Redmond Shelagh M SM Alexander-Kisslig Karin K Woodhall Sarah C SC van den Broek Ingrid V F IV van Bergen Jan J Ward Helen H Uusküla Anneli A Herrmann Björn B Andersen Berit B Götz Hannelore M HM Sfetcu Otilia O Low Nicola N
PloS one 20150123 1
<h4>Background</h4>Accurate information about the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is needed to assess national prevention and control measures.<h4>Methods</h4>We systematically reviewed population-based cross-sectional studies that estimated chlamydia prevalence in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States and non-European high income countries from January 1990 to August 2012. We examined results in forest plots, explored heterogeneity using the I² statistic, and conducte ...[more]