Prevalence of genital chlamydial infection in young women entering a national job training program, 1990-1997.

OBJECTIVES This analysis describes trends in the prevalence of genital chlamydial infection in economically disadvantaged young women entering a national job training program. METHODS We examined chlamydia test data for May 1990 through June 1997 for women aged 16 to 24 years who enrolled in the program. The significance of trends was evaluated with the chi 2 test for trend. RESULTS Prevalence of chlamydial infection declined 32.9%, from 14.9% in 1990 to 10.0% in 1997 (P < .001). Prevalence decreased significantly in all age groups, racial/ethnic groups, and geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in prevalence of chlamydial infection suggests that prevention activities have reached disadvantaged women across the United States; however, prevalence of chlamydial infection remains high, and enhanced prevention efforts in disadvantaged communities are urgently needed.