Incidence and laboratory diagnosis of sexually-transmitted infections among university students in a high-prevalence community

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of four sexually-transmitted infection (STI) agents among university students. Participants: A total of 1744 Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area student encounters at two university health clinics. Methods: Following consent, participants completed an eight-item demographic and behavioral questionnaire and provided a specimen for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium RNA testing. Results: C. trachomatis (7.2%) and M. genitalium (6.7%) detection rates were highest, with C. trachomatis more likely to result in symptomatic infection in males and females. Female M. genitalium detection rates did not differ as a function of symptomatic status. Students identifying as African American were more likely to test positive for M. genitalium than other races/ethnicities. M. genitalium detection in both genders was a function of reported condom usage. Conclusions: Students would benefit from familiarity with emerging STI agents, as well as behaviors associated with increased risk of STI.

Keywords:

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• college/university students
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• sexually-transmitted infection
• transcription-mediated amplification

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge student participants and medical staff from the two participating university health clinics.

Conflict of interest disclosure

E.M. has received honoraria and travel grants from Hologic Incorporated. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Marquette University Institutional Review Board.

Additional information

Funding

This project was initially funded by a Regular Research Grant from Marquette University. L.S. was supported by a Marquette University Honors Program Research Fellowship.