SCREENING FOR CHLAMYDIA &GONORRHEA IN AN URBAN POPULATION

University Of Connecticut Sch Of Med/Dnt, Farmington CT

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Abstract

The purpose of the proposed research is to determine the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection among young patients (age 13-30), attending an urban primary care health clinic in Hartford, Connecticut. By testing a broad sample of patients, including those with and without symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), we will be able to estimate the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea among patients in this age group attending the Burgdorf Clinics, and to determine the cost-effectiveness of screening for STDs in this setting. The results of this study may enable us to develop a clinical prediction model to help target STD screening efforts to those at high risk. STDs are a major health problem for young adults. While frequently asymptomatic, they can cause serious complications if not detected and treated. To measure the local prevalence of Chlamydia (Ch) and Gonorrhea (GC), and to determine factors predictive of positive Ch and GC tests, we screened patients attending a multi-disciplinary primary care clinic (Pediatrics, Ob/Gyn, General and Specialty Medicine, Podiatry, General Surgery) serving a primarily minority, low-income population in Hartford CT.