Screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors in Utah's Juvenile Justice Population: Results and Implications for Practice

Abstract

Compared with adults, sexually active adolescents are at higher risk of acquiring chlamydia and gonorrhea (CT/GC). Additionally, sex trafficking and sexual violence are serious public health problems. Before this project, no data on the sexual behaviors of adolescents within Utah's Juvenile Justice System had been gathered in a systematic manner that provided a population-based perspective.From July 1, 2015, through December 30, 2016, nurses and staff in 18 Utah Juvenile Justice facilities screened all youth admitted to their facilities. For youth who met Centers for Disease Control and Prevention high risk criteria, urine screening for CT/GC was performed. We have screened 1,968 youth and detected 229 asymptomatic infections, with a treatment rate of 90%. Furthermore, we are able to map the location, sex, and age of youth in Utah participating in high-risk behaviors. We are connecting with experts to bring targeted interventions to these youth based on our findings.