Chlamydia screening of youth and young adults in non-clinical settings throughout California.
BACKGROUND
Urine-based chlamydia tests enable screening in non-clinical settings.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of chlamydia infection among high-risk youth and young adults in non-clinical settings.


METHODS
County sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs implemented chlamydia screening projects in non-clinical settings using nucleic acid amplification tests. Demographic and access to care data were collected.


RESULTS
Overall, 16,279 female and male youth were screened for chlamydia in 24 counties throughout California. The 158 screening venues included 32 educational, 32 correctional, and 94 community-based settings. Chlamydia infection rates varied significantly by gender, age, and venue type. Among females, the highest prevalence was found in jail settings (14.6%), juvenile detention (13.0%), and alternative schools (10.0%). Among males, the highest prevalence was found in jail (7.9%) and juvenile detention (5.8%). Venue types that serve populations with poor access to care and high rates of infection were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening projects in non-clinical settings identify high-risk youth in need of STD care, improve access to STD screening and education, and foster local collaborations.
Bauer
Heidi M
HM
California Department of Health Services, STD Control Branch, Berkeley 94704, USA. hbauer@dhs.ca.gov
Chartier
Maggie
M
Kessell
Eric
E
Packel
Laura
L
Brammeier
Monique
M
Little
Malaika
M
Bolan
Gail
G
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence