229439 Acceptability of routine Trichomonas screening for incarcerated women

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM

Jennifer Clarke, MD, MPH , Department of Medicine and OB/GYN, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Pawtucket, RI
Ank Nijhawan, MD, MPH , Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI
Michaela Seadale, BA , Center for Primary Care and Prevention- Research, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
Rachel Salloway, BS , Center for Primary Care and Prevention- Research, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
Kimberle Chapin, MD DABMM, FCAP , Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
BACKGROUND: Trichomonas is the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It has been associated with preterm delivery, infertility, HIV and cervical neoplasia. Incarcerated women exhibit a higher prevalence of Trichomonas (37%) than reproductive age women in the general U.S. population (3.1%). Rates of testing remain low despite the potential complications. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the acceptability of testing for Trichomonas for women entering jail by a self-obtained vaginal swab. METHODS: A random sample of 118 women entering the Rhode Island Department of Corrections was recruited. Women were instructed on how to collect self-obtained vaginal samples and completed a satisfaction survey after getting the samples. RESULTS: When asked their agreement with the statement, “It was easy to collect the vaginal swab”, 55% of participants indicated “very strong agreement” and 18.3% indicated “moderate agreement”. Regarding preferred specimen collection method, 63.5% selected self-obtained vaginal swab, 23.8% designated pelvic exam and 12.7% opted for urine sample. CONCLUSIONS: Incarcerated women, who exhibit a high STD incidence rate overall, find self-obtained vaginal swabs acceptable to test for STDs. Routine screening of the incarcerated population has the potential to improve Trichomonas detection and treatment rates dramatically. This population is especially important to target not only due to a high burden of disease, but also high rates of associated illnesses, including HIV and cervical neoplasia.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the higher rates of STDs among incarcerated women. Compare the various methods of STD testing. Identify the desire and acceptability of routine STD testing in an incarcerated setting.

Keywords: STD, Prison

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as the primary physician at the Women's Division of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.