Prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis Among Hiv-infected Patients and Pregnant Women in Auchi and Environs

Background Chlamydia trachomatis is the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted infection, and it is known to increase the risk of acquisition of HIV. Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and determinants of Chlamydia trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction among HIV-infected females and pregnant women in Auchi and environs. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between January and July, 2025. One-hundred and nighty subjects (95 HIV-infected women and 95 pregnant women) were included in this study. Endocervical swabs were collected for analysis of C. trachomatis DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on participant’s socio-demographics, sexual history and sexual risk behaviours. Results Overall, 25/190 (13.2%) subjects studied were C. trachomatis Positive. C. trachomatis was significantly higher in HIV-infected subjects as compared to Pregnant HIV-Negative women 21.1% vs. 5.3% ((Chi square 10.363, p value  = 0.00128). Age of study participants in both study groups did not have effect on distribution pattern of C. trachomatis . HIV-infected subjects with CD ₄ ⁺ T cells ≤ 200 cells/ul were significantly more infected, with a relative risk of 33% (OR: 0.1889, RR: 0.33, P = 0.031). Other significant risk factors of C. trachomatis infection were early age at first sexual debut, history of STI, employment status and marital status. Conclusions In conclusion, asymptomatic infection with C. trachomatis is highly prevalent among our study subjects in Auchi and environs; routine screening among at risk individuals and education on risk factors is however encouraged.