In April and May 1991 all women requesting abortion in Norway were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. During the study period 2,194 abortions were carried out. The study included 2,110 women with representative tests for C trachomatis from the cervix uteri. Only 1,702 women were tested for N gonorrhoeae. The prevalence of N gonorrhoeae was 0.5% (8:1,702), and of C trachomatis 5.4% (113:2,100). The prevalence of C trachomatis decreased from 9.1% among women less than or equal to 19 years to 2.0% among women greater than or equal to 35 years of age. Prevalence of C trachomatis was significantly lower among subjects resident in health region no. IV (mid-western part of Norway) than among candidates for abortion from the other four health regions. Being less than 25 years of age was the best single parameter for identifying chlamydia-positive cases. The prevalence of N gonorrhoeae among women seeking abortion in Norway is so low that screening is not recommended. However, the prevalence of C trachomatis is still high enough to recommend screening of all women less than 25 years of age who request abortion. Chlamydia-positive cases should be tested for N gonorrhoeae.
PIP: Between April 2 and May 31, 1991 a total of 2259 women requesting abortion in Norway were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea. During the study period, 2194 abortions were carried out, but chlamydia tests were not done in 32 cases. The study included 2110 women with representative tests for C. trachomatis from the cervix uteri. Only 1702 women were tested for N. gonorrhoea. Almost 60% of the chlamydia tests were analyzed by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and 36% of cases a culture was produced. 5.6% of chlamydia tests analyzed with ELISA were positive, the corresponding result with culture was 5.1%. The prevalence of N. gonorrhea was .5% (8/1702) and of C. trachomatis 5.4% (112/2100). 5 of the gonorrhea-positive women were also positive for chlamydia. The prevalence of C. trachomatis decreased from 9.1% among women or= 19 years to 2% among women or= 35 years of age. Prevalence of C. trachomatis was significantly lower among patients residing in health region IV (the midwestern part of Norway) than among abortion seekers from the other 4 health regions, which could not be clarified by age or civil status factors. Age under 25 years was the best single parameter for identifying chlamydia-positive cases. The prevalence of N. gonorrhea among women seeking abortion in Norway is so low that screening is not recommended. However, the prevalence of C. trachomatis is still high enough to recommend screening of all women under 25 years of age who seek abortions. Chlamydia-positive cases also should be tested for N. gonorrhea.