Background:
Images of spring break parties are all over the media. Young people engaged in risky behaviors under the influence of alcohol are seen by millions of viewers. In Pennsylvania, approximately 60% of the reported cases of chlamydia occur in those 17 to 24 years of age.

Objective:
The study was designed to find out where Pennsylvania college students go for spring break; if they have sex on spring break; and, if they return to campus infected with chlamydia.

Method:
Several weeks before spring break, campuses promoted STD awareness through posters, college newspaper articles, peer education, and student health fairs. Seven campus student health services participated in this study designed to screen 1,000 students 3-4 weeks post spring break. Each student participating in the study was offered a free amplified urine chlamydia test and asked to complete a short questionnaire about where they spent their spring break.


Result:
During the study, 336 students were screened for chlamydia and completed behavioral questionnaires. The ages of the participants screened ranged from 18 to 28 years of age. Females comprised 58% of the population tested. When asked where the students spent their spring break: 27% went on vacation, 59% went home, and 11% stayed on campus. When asked if they had sex on spring break, 41% of the students answered yes. The overall chlamydia positivity was 3.9%.

Conclusion:
A time limited testing program may not be the best way to get at risk students tested and encouraging at risk students to get tested is difficult.


Implications:
Programs need to find ways to encourage those most at risk for STDs to be tested rather than testing the worried well.