Evaluation of Large Jail STD Screening Programs, 2008-2009

Even with advances in prevention programs for sexually transmitted diseases, there is still a high burden of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Americans. This disease was reported in over 1.2 million Americans in 2008, making it the most commonly reported infectious disease. In addition, Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections were reported in over 335,000 Americans in 2008. However, many more cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea go undiagnosed and unreported because often, especially in women, the infections are asymptomatic. Untreated infections can have major consequences in women, namely pelvic inflammatory disease with its serious sequelae of chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancies and infertility. In both men and women, untreated infection can promote both the acquisition and the transmission of HIV. Furthermore, both chlamydia and gonorrhea disproportionately affect persons in their young adult years.

The purpose of this booklet is to examine existing sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening programs in large jails to learn lessons that can benefit other health departments that want to establish or expand chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) screening programs in their local jails.