Abstract

Objectives: Mycoplasma genitalium has been shown to cause urethretis in men and cervicitis in women and may also be a causative agent in female infertility. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of urogenital M. genitalium infection and identify sexual behavioural risk factors within the general population.

Methods: Participating individuals were 731 men and 921 women aged 21 to 23 years and not seeking the health care system because of symptoms. They answered questionnaires about sexual behaviour and provided samples for M. genitalium testing.

Results: In women aged 21 to 23 years the prevalence of infection was 2.3% (21/921) and in men of same age it was 1.1% (8/731). For both genders increasing number of partners were associated with being infected. Among women also shorter duration of steady relationship and having a partner with symptoms was associated with being infected and for men younger age at first intercourse was also associated with M. genitalium infection.

Conclusions: We conclude that the prevalence of infection in the general population is too low for population based screening. However, the development of test algorithms based on behavioural risk factors is a promising alternative.