Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection among adolescents in the United States. Chlamydia infections that go untreated may cause complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, epididymitis, and infertility. Screening has become easier and more cost-effective with the development of nucleic acid amplification tests. Two common treatments for chlamydia infections are a single dose of azithromycin and a 7-day course of doxycycline. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidelines regarding screening for and treating chlamydia, only a small percentage of correctional health care facilities adhere to them. Correctional facilities have the opportunity to prevent transmission of chlamydia within a population that has limited access to health care.
Assessment of sexually transmitted diseases services in city and county jails: United States, 1997 (1998). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 47, 429-431.
2.
BergA.O. (2001). Screening for chlamydial infection: Recommendations and rationale. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 20(3 Suppl), 90-94.
3.
BlakeD.R., LemayC.A., GaydosC.A., & QuinnT.C. (2005). Performance of urine leukocyte esterase in asymptomatic male youth: Another look with nucleic acid amplification testing as the gold standard for Chlamydia detection. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 337-341.
4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(RR-6), 1-78.
5.
High prevalence of chlamydial and gonococcal infection in women entering jails and juvenile detention centers: Chicago, Birmingham, and San Francisco, 1998 (1999). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 48, 793-796.
6.
Hollblad-FadimanK., & GoldmanS.M. (2003). American College of Preventive Medicine practice policy statement: Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24, 287-292.
7.
HuD., Hook, E.W., III, & GoldieS.J. (2004). Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in women 15 to 29 years of age: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 141, 501-513.
8.
HurwitzH. (2003). A gold standard of treatment and cure for chlamydia. Managed Care Quarterly, 11(3), 8-10.
9.
HwangL.Y., TebbK.P., ShaferM.A., & PantellR.H. (2005). Examination of the treatment and follow-up care for adolescents who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 159, 1162-1166.
10.
JoesoefM.R., KahnR.H., & WeinstockH.S. (2006). Sexually transmitted diseases in incarcerated adolescents. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 19, 44-48.
11.
JohnsonR.E., NewhallW.J., PappJ.R., KnappJ.S., BlackC.M., GiftT.L., et al. (2002). Screening tests to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections: 2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(RR-15), 1-38; quiz CE31-34.
12.
KahnR.H., MosureD.J., BlankS., KentC.K., ChowJ.M., BoudovM.R., et al. (2005). Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae prevalence and coinfection in adolescents entering selected US juvenile detention centers, 1997-2002. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 32, 255-259.
13.
KellyP.J., BairR.M., BaillargeonJ., & GermanV. (2000). Risk behaviors and the prevalence of Chlamydia in a juvenile detention facility. Clinical Pediatrics, 39, 521-527.
14.
Kraut-BecherJ.R., GiftT.L., HaddixA.C., IrwinK.L., & GreifingerR.B. (2004). Cost-effectiveness of universal screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in US jails. Journal of Urban Health, 81, 453-471.
15.
LauC.Y., & QureshiA.K. (2002). Azithromycin versus doxycycline for genital chlamydial infections: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29, 497-502.
16.
LimS.W., & CoupeyS.M. (2005). Are adolescent girls with Chlamydia infection notifying their partners? Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 18, 33-38.
17.
ManaviK., YoungH., HuD., Hook, E.W., III, GoldieS.J., Hollblad-FadimanK., et al. (2006). The significance of voiding interval before testing urine samples for Chlamydia trachomatis in men. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 82, 34-36.
18.
MertzK.J., SchwebkeJ.R., GaydosC.A., BeidingerH.A., TullochS.D., & LevineW.C. (2002). Screening women in jails for chlamydial and gonococcal infection using urine tests: Feasibility, acceptability, prevalence, and treatment rates. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29, 271-276.
19.
MertzK.J., VoigtR.A., HutchinsK., & LevineW.C. (2002). Findings from STD screening of adolescents and adults entering corrections facilities: Implications for STD control strategies. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29, 834-839.
20.
MrusJ.M., BiroF.M., HuangB., & TsevatJ. (2003). Evaluating adolescents in juvenile detention facilities for urogenital chlamydial infection: Costs and effectiveness of alternative interventions. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 157, 696-702.
21.
NewmanS.B., NelsonM.B., FriedmanH.B., & GaydosC.A. (2005). Should female federal inmates be screened for chlamydia and gonococcal infection? Journal of Correctional Health Care, 11, 137-155.
22.
OhM.K., SmithK.R., O’CainM., KilmerD., JohnsonJ., & Hook, E.W., III. (1998). Urine-based screening of adolescents in detention to guide treatment for gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Translating research into intervention. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 152, 52-56.
23.
PareceM.S., HerreraG.A., VoigtR.F., MiddlekauffS.L., & IrwinK.L. (1999). STD testing policies and practices in U.S. city and county jails. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 26, 431-437.
24.
RahangdaleL., GuerryS., BauerH.M., PackelL., RhewM., BaxterR., et al. (2006). An observational cohort study of Chlamydia trachomatis treatment in pregnancy. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 33, 106-110.
25.
Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2003 Supplement, Chlamydia Prevalence Monitoring Project (2004). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
26.
SkerkV., SchonwaldS., StrapacZ., BeusA., FranceticI., KrhenI., et al. (2001). Duration of clinical symptoms in female patients with acute urethral syndrome caused by Chlamydia trachomatis treated with azithromycin or doxycycline. Journal of Chemotherapy, 13, 176-181.
27.
TebbK.P., PantellR.H., WibbelsmanC.J., NeuhausJ.M., TiptonA.C., PecsonS.C., et al. (2005). Screening sexually active adolescents for Chlamydia trachomatis: What about the boys? American Journal of Public Health, 95, 1806-1810.
