Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

Effectiveness of School-based Chlamydia Screening: A Literature Review

Clark, Katherine A (2012) Effectiveness of School-based Chlamydia Screening: A Literature Review. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

[img] Microsoft Word
Available under License : See the attached license file.

Download (281kB)
[img] Plain Text (licence)
Available under License : See the attached license file.

Download (1kB)

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most commonly reported notifiable sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States (1). In women, chlamydia can result in serious sequelae, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chronic pelvic pain, tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (1-3). In men, chlamydial infection can cause epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis, which in complicated cases can lead to scrotal abscess, testicular infarction, and infertility (1, 4). As a part of Healthy People 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has defined a nationwide objective to reduce the number of adolescents infected with CT (5). In an effort to reduce the public health burden of CT in adolescents, school-based screening has been initiated in cities across the country. A critical review of studies reporting the results of CT screening initiatives in schools and other non-traditional settings was published in 2005 (6). Since that time, additional studies have been published reporting results of new and existing school-based screening initiatives. The purpose of this literature review is to critically assess the effectiveness of school-based chlamydia screening programs, as measured by recruitment of high-school aged males and females for screening, the detection chlamydial infection, and reinfection/rescreening rates. The majority of the studies available for review are cross-sectional prevalence reports of the screening uptake and CT prevalence detected in specific programs or specific SBHCs over different periods of time. This makes comparison of the effectiveness of programs and SBHCs difficult. SBHC screening had a lower average screening uptake then did school-based programs, though only one study reviewed provided screening coverage information for SBHCs. This study saw screening uptake ranging from 17%-56% in SBHCs, while the screening uptake in school-based programs ranged from 30.9%- 47.6% (7-9). All school-based programs had a larger screening uptake in males relative to females. All urban screening programs showed higher rates of CT positivity in females versus males, despite males having a higher screening uptake. In the two, reinfection studies evaluated, reinfection rates were high, ranging from 13.6% in a SBHC to 26.3% in a school-based program. Strengths and limitations of all reviewed studies are reported, as well as directions for future research.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Clark, Katherine Akac220@pitt.eduKAC220
Contributors:
ContributionContributors NameEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairHaggerty, Catherinehaggertyc@edc.pitt.eduHAGGERTYUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberTerry, Marthamaterry@pitt.eduMATERRYUNSPECIFIED
Date: 13 December 2012
Date Type: Publication
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master Essay
Refereed: Yes
Date Deposited: 08 Feb 2013 15:00
Last Modified: 28 Jun 2023 10:56
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16966

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item