Assessment of sexually transmitted diseases services in city and county jails--United States, 1997

Abstract

Approximately 15 million arrests were made in the United States in 1995, and the number of persons incarcerated has increased 72% since 1990. At any given time, approximately 567,000 persons are incarcerated in local jails (i.e., county or city correctional facilities housing persons serving short-term sentences or awaiting trial). The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among incarcerated women is high: syphilis, 35%; chlamydia, 27%; and gonorrhea, 8%. However, limited information is available about the extent of STD diagnosis and treatment services in correctional facilities. During July-August 1997, CDC conducted a survey of STD testing and treatment policies and practices in jails. This report summarizes the results of the survey, which indicates that most facilities treat for STDs based on symptoms or by arrestee request and do not routinely screen asymptomatic persons.