title: Feasibility of providing sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment in off-campus, nonclinic settings for adolescents enrolled in a school-based research project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the acceptability and feasibility of using a biological outcome measure to evaluate a school-based sexuality education program. Confidential field-delivered sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing by nonmedical field staff and STI treatment by medically trained field staff was assessed in off-campus and off-clinic settings for adolescents enrolled in the trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  After parental and adolescent consent were obtained, a convenient time and location was identified to collect urine to test for chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis, CT), gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrheae, NG), and trichomonas (Trichomonas vaginalis, TV) infection and to treat students with positive results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 391 of 1742 students had permission to participate (22%); 353 (90%) provided urine samples; 28 (8%) had positive test results: CT(18), NG(5), and TV(8). Testing and treatment occurred at home for 92% and 59% of students, respectively; on weekdays (for 69% and 96%, respectively) and between noon and 8 pm (for 76% and 88%, respectively). All students who tested positive were treated. Several lessons and strategies that may improve the likelihood that students will participate in field-delivered STI testing and treatment emerged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STI testing and treatment are feasible for students enrolled in a school-based sexuality education program. However, obtaining parental consent may be challenging.
authors.affiliation: Professor, (mchacko@bcm.edu), Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, CCC 1710, 6701 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: Mariam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Chacko
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: Stacy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Crandall
authors.forename: Melissa F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Peskin
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shegog
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tortolero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003219:Confidentiality; D065187:Controlled Before-After Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000523:psychology; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000652:urine; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014481:United States
keywords: STI field-delivered therapy for youth; STI testing in off-school campus settings; STI testing in youth; STI treatment in youth