BACKGROUND: Previous school-based studies in cities with a high prevalence of chlamydia found a substantial prevalence of chlamydial infection among students. GOAL: The goal was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in San Francisco high schools. STUDY DESIGN: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and screening were conducted at four high schools. Students provided basic demographic information and urine specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea ligase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: Among 283 asymptomatic females screened, 3.9% had chlamydia and 0.7% had gonorrhea. The prevalence of chlamydia was 1.5% among females <16 years of age and 4.6% among females >or=16 years of age. Only 0.8% of asymptomatic males (3/381) had chlamydia, and none had gonorrhea. CONCLUSION: STD screening was both feasible and acceptable in San Francisco high schools. STD screening in high schools should be prioritized as follows: (1) chlamydia screening over gonorrhea screening, (2) female screening over male screening, and (3) screening of older students (juniors and seniors) over screening of younger students.
BACKGROUND: Previous school-based studies in cities with a high prevalence of chlamydia found a substantial prevalence of chlamydial infection among students. GOAL: The goal was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in San Francisco high schools. STUDY DESIGN: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and screening were conducted at four high schools. Students provided basic demographic information and urine specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea ligase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: Among 283 asymptomatic females screened, 3.9% had chlamydia and 0.7% had gonorrhea. The prevalence of chlamydia was 1.5% among females <16 years of age and 4.6% among females >or=16 years of age. Only 0.8% of asymptomatic males (3/381) had chlamydia, and none had gonorrhea. CONCLUSION: STD screening was both feasible and acceptable in San Francisco high schools. STD screening in high schools should be prioritized as follows: (1) chlamydia screening over gonorrhea screening, (2) female screening over male screening, and (3) screening of older students (juniors and seniors) over screening of younger students.
Authors: Mariam R Chacko; Constance M Wiemann; Claudia A Kozinetz; Kirk von Sternberg; Mary M Velasquez; Peggy B Smith; Ralph DiClemente Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2009-08-03 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: M A Chernesky; D H Martin; E W Hook; D Willis; J Jordan; S Wang; J R Lane; D Fuller; J Schachter Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2005-01 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Charlotte A Gaydos; Catherine Wright; Billie Jo Wood; Gerry Waterfield; Sharon Hobson; Thomas C Quinn Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2008-03 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Laura W L Spauwen; Christian J P A Hoebe; Elfi E H G Brouwers; Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-09-30 Impact factor: 3.295