Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among men who have sex with men and transgender women attending community-based clinics, Thailand, 2019–2021

Abstract

Background: We assessed the feasibility of point-of-care testing (POC) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TGW) attending community-based clinics (CBOs) in Thailand. Methods: A secondary analysis using data from a study that enrolled participants aged ≥18 years who were at risk of HIV. They were tested for CT and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) using Cepheid Xpert® POC tests. Behaviors were assessed using a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with CT infections. Results: A total of 1885 participants were enrolled between 2019 and 2021, with 89.7% identifying as MSM. Of all participants, 15.9% were living with HIV (PLHIV), 20.6% initiated PrEP, 31.7% were already using it, and 31.8% had never used PrEP.Of all participants, 13.4% and 18.8% tested positive for NG and CT, respectively. CT prevalence was associated with age groups: 34.6% in 18–19 years (AOR 3.2), 24.1% in 20–24 years (AOR 1.7), compared to 14.5% in those ≥25 years. CT prevalence was higher in PLHIV (28.3%) compared to those who were HIV-negative and had never used PrEP (17.0%). Conclusions: Almost one-fifth of Thai MSM and TGW had CT infection. POC testing is feasible and should be integrated into STI screening.