Abstract

Out of 432 women applying for termination of pregnancy, 7.9% (34/428) had cervical Chlamydia trachomatis and 0.7% (3/431) genital Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The prevalence of Chlamydia was 19.2% among the women applying for termination who were under 20 years and 12.8% among those aged 21-25 years. The finding of Chlamydia among nulliparae was 14.5%. Only 2.8% of the women with Chlamydia had previously had pelvic infections. Women with Chlamydia did not have significantly greater frequency of previous venereal diseases. It is concluded that women under the age of 25 years and nulliparae who apply for termination of pregnancy should be examined for Chlamydia and should be treated in connection with the intervention. Previous pelvic infections are observed significantly more rarely in women with Chlamydia applying for termination and thus do not constitute an indication for examination for Chlamydia. It is not yet elucidated whether women with previous venereal diseases should be examined for Chlamydia. On account of the low prevalence, there are no indications for performing routine smears in women applying for termination of pregnancy for gonococci but, on the other hand it appears relevant to examine women with Chlamydia for gonococci as double infections are frequently present.