The Relationship Between Education and Screening: A Study of an on-Campus, after-School Teen Program

Background: The Teen Health Centers (THC) is a project made possible by a grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). At the time of the project’s inception, the rates of STD infection among youth aged 15-24 exceeded 4,200 per 100,000. The target populations for the THC are youth ages 13-19, predominantly African American, both heterosexual and males who have sex with males. This poster describes the impact of ongoing program participation on likelihood youth test for HIV/STDs. Variables examined include number of educational sessions before test, key demographics and risk factors.

Methods: Data is collected from intake forms completed by youth receiving services at the THCs, as well as electronic STD testing data, information on the demographics and STD indicators of youth attending the THCs has been compiled.

Results: Between July 2015 and March 2016, 390 individual youth received at least one service at a THC. A total of 632 visits to the THCs occurred. Of participating youth, most identified as African American (77%) and non-Hispanic (78%). More males (58%) participated than females. Forty-eight identified as non-heterosexual (12%). The average age was just over 16 years. A total of 141 (36%) individuals were tested for Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, with a resulting 8.5% positivity rate. Of those tested, 31.2% had made multiple visits to the THC. A total of 150 individuals participated in comprehensive health education at least once.

Conclusions: The Teen Health Center program model is one that makes STD/HIV testing, comprehensive health education, and condoms accessible to youth in geographical locations heavily impacted by STD infections. Additionally, of the 141 youth screened for STD/HIV, 115 (82%) of them also received health education, indicating a relation between the two.