The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70213

Melina R. Boudov, MA¹, Melina R. Boudov, MA¹, Rebecca Bergstresser, (c) PhD¹, Marisol Mejia², and Peter Kerndt, MD, MPH³. (1) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program, 2615 S. Grand Ave., Rm. 500, Los Angeles, CA 90007, 213-744-5956, mboudov@dhs.co.la.ca.us, (2) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Sexually Transmitted (STD) Disease Program, 2615 S. Grand Ave., Rm. 500, Los Angeles, CA 90007, (3) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, 2615 So. Grand Avenue Rm 500, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Background: Sexually active community college students are at high risk for chlamydia, the most common bacterial STD in the US. Most students have some access to health care through campus health centers. However, in Los Angeles County, few college health centers exploit the opportunity to provide students with chlamydia screening. In an effort to reach this high-risk population, the LAC STD Program collaborated with local community college health centers to institute a chlamydia screening project at seven campuses. . Methodology: Asymptomatic female and male students seeking care at community college health centers are offered urine-based chlamydia screening. The STD Program provides testing supplies, laboratory services, treatment for positives and their partner(s) and technical assistance. Clinic staff provide testing and treatment, and promote the project. Demographic and behavioral data are collected from participants. All those testing positive receive treatment and partner services. Two clinics offer partner-delivered therapy.

Results: In 2002, 870 females and 356 males were screened for chlamydia, and 57 (6.6%) and 28 (7.9%) tested positive, respectively. Black students were more than twice as likely to have chlamydia compared to Latinos (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2-4.4). Among the females testing positive, only 9.3% reported having chlamydia-related symptoms, while 19% of males reported symptoms.

Conclusion: Screening for chlamydia at community college health centers offers an opportunity to detect and treat asymptomatic disease. The prevalence for males is especially high, even when compared to screening among incarcerated males. Routine screening should be implemented in community colleges, and this model could be replicated.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to describe an effective chlamydia screening project targeting community college students.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.