Prevalence and incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in incarcerated adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Few recent studies have determined the prevalence and incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) among adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine these parameters among incarcerated youths.


METHODS
Both on admission and during incarceration, consecutive adolescents entering the Harris County, Texas, Juvenile Detention Center were evaluated for symptoms of PID. One of two experienced clinicians examined adolescents with possible PID. For the diagnosis of PID, we used the minimal criteria of the CDC.


RESULTS
In sexually active heterosexual or bisexual adolescents (N = 313), the prevalence of PID at admission was 4.5%; during the first 31 days of incarceration, the incidence density of PID was 3.3 cases/100 person-months, and the cumulative incidence was 2.2%. The prevalence among these youths of chlamydial and/or gonorrheal infection, as determined by urine or cervical testing, was 24.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence and incidence of PID underscore the need for effective programs to eradicate chlamydial and gonorrheal infections in high-risk youths.
Cromwell
Polly F
PF
Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas-Houston Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas 77225-0708, USA.
Risser
William L
WL
Risser
Jan M H
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology