Sex and age correlates of Chlamydia prevalence in adolescents and adults entering correctional facilities, 2005: implications for screening policy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sex and age correlates of chlamydia prevalence in incarcerated populations.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of chlamydia prevalence by demographic characteristics from incarcerated females and males entering selected juvenile and adult correctional facilities (jails) in the United States in 2005.


RESULTS
A total of 97,681 and 52,485 incarcerated persons aged >/=12 years were screened for chlamydia in 141 juvenile and 22 adult correctional facilities, respectively. Overall, chlamydia prevalence was high in females (14.3% and 7.5%) in both juvenile and adult facilities when compared with that in males (6.0% and 4.6%). The chlamydia prevalence was higher in incarcerated females than in incarcerated males for persons </=35 years, and prevalence was highest among females aged </=25 years (range, 11.3%-15.6%). In juvenile facilities, prevalence did not steadily increase with age in females (12.8% in 12-14 years, 15.1% in 15-17 years, and 14.3% in 18-20 years) whereas in males prevalence steadily increased with age (2.4% in 12-14 years to 8.7% in 18-20 years). In females and males the highest prevalence in juvenile facilities was in incarcerated blacks (18.4% and 9.6%, respectively). In adult facilities, the prevalence was consistently highest in younger detainees: in females it was 15.6% in 18- to 20-year olds compared with 1.5% in those >40 years; in males it was 8.8% in 18- to 20-year olds compared with 1.4% in those >40 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The consistently high chlamydia prevalence among females in juvenile facilities and females (</=25 years) in adult facilities supports a screening policy in correctional settings consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. Although the prevalence of chlamydia in males is substantial, chlamydia prevalence in females exceeds that of males </=35 years, and thus screening females for chlamydia in these facilities should take priority over screening males.
Joesoef
M Riduan
MR
Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. mrj1@cdc.gov
Weinstock
Hillard S
HS
Kent
Charlotte K
CK
Chow
Joan M
JM
Boudov
Melina R
MR
Parvez
Farah M
FM
Cox
Tamara
T
Lincoln
Thomas
T
Miller
Jamie L
JL
Sternberg
Maya
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult