Quality Assessment of Chlamydia trachomatis Screening and Treatment in a Juvenile Detention Center

Abstract

Screening and treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis in the incarcerated population is important and challenging. The goal of this study was threefold: (a) investigate the usefulness of screening asymptomatic juveniles; (b) examine the feasibility of completing treatment in high turnover juvenile correction facilities; and (c) assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current screening and treatment program in a juvenile detention center relative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. In a retrospective chart review of 508 subjects, the researchers analyzed the screening of juvenile inmates and treatment of those who tested positive for C. trachomatis. The study showed that 20.8% of females and 8.9% of males tested positive for C. trachomatis during screening in 2005. Findings also demonstrated that 86.4% of juveniles received appropriate treatment.

A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a cross-systems service delivery model to improve identification and care for HIV, STIs and substance use among justice-involved young adults

“…HIV prevalence in US justice populations is 2–5 (CDC, 2012b ; Martin, O'Connell, Inciardi, Surratt, & Beard, 2003 ; Maruschak, 2011 ; New York State Department of Health, 2010 ; Spaulding et al, 2009 ) times higher than in the general population, and justice-involved young adults (JIYA) aged 18–24 are at particular risk (Dembo, Belenko, Childs, Greenbaum, & Wareham, 2010 ; Elkington et al, 2008 ; Frye, Wallace, Chavez, & Luce, 2008 ; Joesoef, Kahn, & Weinstock, 2006 ; Kahn et al, 2005 ; Morris et al, 1995 ; Pack, DiClemente, Hook III, & Oh, 2000 ; Romero et al, 2007 ). Many JIYA reside in neighborhoods with high community HIV viral loads, exposing them to high risk sexual networks.…”

“…Recent Adolescent Trial Network (ATN) data found that one in every three HIV+ youth had prior justice involvement (Gamarel et al, 2016 ). Furthermore, JIYA have higher rates of HIV risk behaviors than general population youth (Elkington et al, 2008 ; Morris et al, 1995 ; Pack et al, 2000 ; Romero et al, 2007 ), and much higher rates of STIs (4%–48%) (Dembo et al, 2010 ; Frye et al, 2008 ; Joesoef et al, 2006 ; Kahn et al, 2005 ). With high HIV risk behaviors, and residence in poor, high-prevalence communities, JIYA may be more likely to be HIV+ than general population youth, but are just as likely to be unaware of their status (Van Handel, Kann, Olsen, & Dietz, 2016 ; Zanoni & Mayer, 2014 ).…”