title: Chlamydia trachomatis infection in males in a juvenile detention facility in Switzerland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Young offenders represent a group for which Chlamydia trachomatis infection screening is recommended in the US. In the absence of local epidemiological data it is difficult to assess whether such recommendations apply to the Swiss context. Our aim was to obtain local prevalence data for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among young male offenders as a basis for screening strategies in Swiss juvenile detention centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in a juvenile detention facility in Geneva, Switzerland. Adolescent males aged 15-18 years admitted to the detention facility were invited to participate during a consultation with a nurse conducted within 48 hours of admission. Participants were asked to provide a first void urine sample for PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and to complete a questionnaire on reproductive health behaviours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  72 males were considered for participation in the study. 13 were excluded (mainly due to the language barrier or a shorter than 3 days' stay in the facility) and 9 (15%) declined participation. Not being sexually active was the most common reason for declining participation. Most participants originated from Switzerland or the European Union and 68% reported having ≥2 sexual partners in the past year. Only one participant (18 years, asymptomatic) had Chlamydia trachomatis infection (2%; 95%CI: 0-6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study does not support screening for Chlamydia trachomatis among young offenders admitted to detention centres in Switzerland. Studies in other European detention centres should document the extent to which our findings are generalisable to the European context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals & University of Geneva, Switzerland. dagmar.haller-hester@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Dagmar M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: Anne-Sylvie S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sebo
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gaspoz
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology