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Screening Adolescents in a Juvenile Detention Center for Gonorrhea
and Chlamydia: Prevalence and Reinfection Rates
The Prison Journal 2002;82(1):8-18.
Broussard D, Leichliter JS, Evans A, Kee R, Vallury V, McFarlane
MM.
Abstract
Adolescents (n =5,558) processed through a juvenile temporary detention center
were screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Overall, the prevalence was 5.1%
for gonorrhea and 14.7% for chlamydia. Female adolescents were 3.5 and 3.3
times more likely to have gonorrhea and chlamydia, respectively, than were
male adolescents. Reinfection rates for the 180 adolescents who had a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) at first screening and were screened on another
occasion were 10.0%for gonorrhea and 28.9% for chlamydia. Given the high
STD prevalence and reinfection rates uncovered in this study, administrators
at juvenile detention facilities could potentially decrease the long-term
cost burden on their facilities through a screening program designed to detect
STDs before the detainees experience the costly sequelae of STDs or are released
into the community to further spread the STDs. Research is also needed to
devise intervention strategies that are effective in reducing risky sexual
behaviors and STD morbidity in this high-risk adolescent population.