Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in San Francisco high schools

Background: Previous school-based studies in cities with a high prevalence of chlamydia found a substantial prevalence of chlamydial infection among students. Goal: The goal was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of chlamydia and gonorrhea screening in San Francisco high schools. Study Design: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and screening were conducted at four high schools. Students provided basic demographic information and urine specimens for chlamydia and gonorrhea ligase chain reaction testing. Results: Among 283 asymptomatic females screened, 3.9% had chlamydia and 0.7% had gonorrhea. The prevalence of chlamydia was 1.5% among females <16 years of age and 4.6% among females greater than or equal to16 years of age. Only 0.8% of asymptomatic males (3/381) had chlamydia, and none had gonorrhea. Conclusion: STD screening was both feasible and acceptable in San Francisco high schools. STD screening in high schools should be prioritized as follows: (1) chlamydia screening over gonorrhea screening, (2) female screening over male screening, and (3) screening of older students (juniors and seniors) over screening of younger students.