Effective collaborations between health departments and correctional entities – the key to a successful STD screening program in corrections

To present strategies and methods for implementing a chlamydia screening program across diverse juvenile justice systems in California. Facilitators and barriers to implementation were identified through interviews with local program coordinators and/or institutional medical and correctional staff. Screening projects were implemented in January 2003 in 15 counties throughout the state. The proportion of female detainees screened for chlamydia rose from 35% pre-program implementation to 66% in 2006. High screening levels with high case yields and treatment rates in the juvenile correctional setting can be accomplished and sustained, despite many barriers, with effective collaboration between public health and correctional entities.