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Prevalence of Chlamydial and Gonorrheal Infections Among Females in a Juvenile Detention Facility, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Abstract

Limited studies have shown high rates of gonorrheal and chlamydial infections among incarcerated adolescents, however, this population has not been routinely targeted for sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening. This study was done to ascertain the feasibility of screening females for STDs at a juvenile detention facility in Honolulu, Hawaii, and to determine the prevalence of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections in this population. Between January 2000 and December 2001, pelvic examination-based STD screening was offered to all female detainees, on selected dates. Specimens from multiple anatomical sites were cultured for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Endocervical swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis using a DNA probe (GenProbe®). One-hundred one of 204 (50%) eligible females were screened. Fourteen of 101 (13.9%) females were screen positive for chlamydial infection, while six of 101 (5.9%) were culture positive for infection with N. gonorrhoeae. Three females were co-infected with both organisms. The high STD rates justify the institution of a routine screening program for this high risk and previously underserved group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Biomedical Sciences Building, Room D104M, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822

    Alan R. Katz

  2. Communicable Disease Division, Hawaii State Department of Health, STD/AIDS Prevention Branch, USA

    Maria Veneranda C. Lee & Roy G. Ohye

  3. Communicable Disease Division, Hawaii State Department of Health, USA

    Paul V. Effler

  4. STD/AIDS Prevention Branch, Communicable Disease Division, Hawaii State Department of Health, Diamond Head Health Center, USA

    Elmer C. Johnson & Steven M. Nishi

Authors
  1. Alan R. Katz
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  2. Maria Veneranda C. Lee
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  3. Roy G. Ohye
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  4. Paul V. Effler
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  5. Elmer C. Johnson
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  6. Steven M. Nishi
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Correspondence to Alan R. Katz.

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Katz, A.R., Lee, M.V.C., Ohye, R.G. et al. Prevalence of Chlamydial and Gonorrheal Infections Among Females in a Juvenile Detention Facility, Honolulu, Hawaii. Journal of Community Health 29, 265–269 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOHE.0000025325.95684.67

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOHE.0000025325.95684.67

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