![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a major public health challenge in the U.S. Chlamydia (Chl) and Gonorrhea (GC), two of the most common STDs in the U.S., disproportionately affect young women, minorities, individuals living in the Southern U.S., and incarcerated individuals.
Objectives: Conduct a limited surveillance project to determine prevalence of Chl and GC among adult females booked into a large jail in Nashville,TN.
Methods: Inmates were provided with routine opt-out Chl and GC screening upon intake. Screening was conducted on urine samples using nucleic acid amplification test. Age, race, ethnicity, and booking charge were collected for individuals undergoing testing.
Results: Between June 1 and Sept 15, 2011, 1192 female inmates were screened: 53% were white, 45% black, 1% Hispanic, 1% other; 23% were 18-24 yrs old, 26% were 25-34, 42% were > 35; and 1% were charged with sexual crimes. Of women screened, 7.0% tested positive for either Chl and/or GC (5.5% Chl and 1.9% GC). Of women testing positive for either STD, 34% were white, 65% black, 1% other; 41% were 18-24 yrs old, 43% were 25-34, 16% were > 35; and none were charged with sexual crimes. Data from the first 36 women testing positive revealed that 89% received treatment.
Conclusions: Chl and GC rates among adult females entering an urban jail in TN were nearly ten times higher than established case rates among females across the state. Positivity rates were disproportionately higher among younger and black women, although 59% of all cases were reported in women 25 years and older. High treatment rates were achieved in this population.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: High rates of STDs among adult female jail inmates support the implementation of routine opt-out STD screening coupled with effective treatment in this population. Collaboration between jail and health department personnel facilitates the effective implementation of such screening programs.