Implementing Chlamydia screening programs in juvenile correctional settings: the california experience.

OBJECTIVES

To present strategies, methods, and tools for implementing a chlamydia screening program across diverse county juvenile justice systems in California, and to present screening and treatment outcomes of this program.

METHODS

Requirements for juvenile hall participants in a chlamydia screening program were described as well as the administrative structure of program implementation. An assessment of screening using administrative data was conducted. Facilitators and barriers to implementation were identified through interviews with local program coordinators and/or institutional medical and correctional staff.

RESULTS

Screening projects were implemented in January 2003 in 15 counties (18 juvenile halls) throughout the state. Among institutions with relevant data, the proportion of female detainees screened for chlamydia rose from 35% preprogram implementation to 66% in 2006.

CONCLUSIONS

High screening levels with high case yields and treatment rates in the juvenile correctional setting can be accomplished and sustained, despite many barriers, if effective collaboration between public health and correctional entities is established.