School-based screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among Philadelphia public high school students.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents is high. Innovative screening and treatment programs need evaluation.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to identify, treat, and describe the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infections among Philadelphia public high school students.


METHODS
We analyzed cross-sectional data from the first year of an annual program offering education, screening, and treatment for CT and GC. For the school year analyzed, screening took place between January 2003 and June 2003.


RESULTS
In the first year, 19,394 students aged 12-20 years were voluntarily tested; 1,052 students were identified with GC, CT, or both; 1,051 received treatment. Prevalence of CT among females (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1) was 3.3 times higher than among males (95% CI = 2.5%). Attending disciplinary schools and residing in high reported morbidity areas were also related to higher prevalence of CT and GC.


CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of CT infections was identified among Philadelphia public high school students. This program demonstrated the effectiveness of a school-based screening program to identify and treat these infections.
Asbel
Lenore E
LE
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA. Leonore.Asbell@phila.gov
Newbern
E Claire
EC
Salmon
Melinda
M
Spain
C Victor
CV
Goldberg
Martin
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020682:Cefixime / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D017963:Azithromycin; D020682:Cefixime