Evaluation of Cortez OneStep Chlamydia Rapicard™ Insta Test for the Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in Pregnant Women at Mbare Polyclinic in Harare, Zimbabwe

• Published in: International journal of MCH and AIDS Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 19 - 26
• Main Authors: Stephen, Stephen, Muchaneta-Kubara, Chiwoneso Gwyneth Elizabeth, Munjoma, Marshall Wesley, Mandozana, Gibson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Global Health and Education Projects, Inc 2017
• Subjects: Original; Antenatal Clinic; Chlamydia trachomatis; Point of Care Tests; Rapid Test; Cortez One Step Chlamydia Test
• ISSN: 2161-8674; 2161-864X
• DOI: 10.21106/ijma.150

Cervical chlamydia infection poses high risk of pregnancy complications and neonatal infection. Reference methods for the detection of chlamydia infection are not available for routine use in developing countries. Point-of-care (POC) tests can bridge this gap. This study evaluated Cortez Onestep Chlamydia Rapicard™ insta test for the detection of in pregnant women at Mbare Polyclinic and determined the prevalence of . This was a cross sectional study in 242 pregnant women aged ≥18 years attending their first ANC visit at Mbare polyclinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data collection form was used to obtain demographic and predisposing factors to Chlamydia infection and two endocervical swabs were collected from each patient. One specimen was examined by the POC test at the clinic and the other by SDA method in the laboratory. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the rapid kit were 71.4%, 99.6%, 90.9% and 98.3% respectively. Prevalence of was 5.8% by SDA method. The kit's sensitivity (71.4%) and specificity (99.6%) implies that the rapid test is an important test which needs further evaluations. The prevalence of of 5.8% is comparable to studies done elsewhere in Africa.