Correctional facilities, jails and awaiting trial units provide opportunities for screening people at higher risk of STD. In Massachusetts, chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STD. Reported chlamydia rates are dramatically higher in women. Screening for STD upon intake is an effective component of a prevention program to reach people at higher risk of STD but who are less likely to routinely access medical services. Chlamydia screening upon intake is offered to all inmates and detainees in two large jails in Massachusetts (Ludlow Correctional Center, which serves Springfield; Nashua Street Jail., which serves Boston). Urine specimens for pregnancy testing are routinely obtained from women; men provide a urine sample for leukocyte esterase testing at intake. A portion of the urine sample is used to test for chlamydia using LCR technology. Men and women have been tested in Ludlow since February 1999. Women in Nashua Street jail have been screened since May 1999. Screening of men will begin there by March 2000. As of January 1, 2000, 5.1% of the women (n=292) and 6.1% of the men (n=1928) in Ludlow have been positive. In contrast, the women in Nashua St. (n=707) had a prevalence of 3.5%.
STDs are a focal phenomenon. Additional analyses of demographic and other data, including the addition of men at the Nashua Street jail, will look at the difference in prevalence between the two sites and between the genders.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to describe a prevalence-based surveillance approach to correctional health. 2. Participants will be able to identify factors that may contribute to under-reporting of chlamydia
Keywords: Correctional Health Care,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.