NCJ Number
203545
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 28 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
December 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the problems associated with the sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia trachomatis, and presents results of a urine screening for adolescents entering the Mount View Youth Services Detention Center in Lakewood, CO, from August 1998 through January 1999.
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted disease that is easily treatable with antibiotics, yet is often left untreated because of the high rate of asymptomatic infections. Chlamydia rates are highest among adolescent females and among inner-city, sexually active, minority youths. If left untreated, Chlamydia may travel to the fallopian tubes in women, causing possible fertility problems, including infertility and ectopic pregnancies. As a result of the seriousness of the infection, coupled with the high rate of asymptomic infections, a urine screening was developed as a way to improve the standard of Chlamydia detection. After a review of the literature regarding the epidemiology of Chlamydia and the consequences of untreated Chlamydia infection, the article describes a study in which all adolescents aged 11 to 18 years who were admitted to the Mount View Youth Services Detention Center between August 1998 and January 1999 were asked to consent to a free urine screening for Chlamydia. This population was targeted as a high risk group for Chlamydia infection. Four hundred and sixty participants consented to the urine screening. Of these 460 participants, 44 tested positive for Chlamydia. A full 90 percent of the positive youths were asymptomatic, which validates the current epidemiological data regarding the high asymptomatic rate of Chlamydia. The results of the study confirm the need for universal screening of high risk populations, particularly in detention settings. Tables, references