Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among adolescents in Family Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the use of the Family Court System as a venue for screening adolescents, especially males for sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

Goal: To identify, treat, and describe the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infections among adolescents on probation under the jurisdiction of the Family Court System of Philadelphia from April 2004 through December 2006.

Study design: We analyzed data from the first several years of this program, which offered education and voluntary noninvasive screening for CT and GC to adolescents adjudicated delinquent and placed on probation through the Family Court of Philadelphia.

Results: Between April 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006, 2270 adolescents were counseled about STDs, of whom 1605 voluntarily submitted a urine specimen for STD testing. Among the 1594 unique individuals with a valid test result, 13.9% (44 of 317) of females, 7.0% (90 of 1277) of males, and 8.4% overall (134 of 1594) were found to be positive for either or both STD. In total, treatment was confirmed for 93.3% (84/90) of males and 100% (44/44) of females testing positive.

Conclusions: Noninvasive STD testing was well accepted by adolescents in the Family Court System. Over several years of study, infection rates were found to be persistently high in both males and females. The Family Court is an effective venue to identify and treat adolescent males and females with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea infection.