Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea by Strand Displacement Amplification in Homeless Adolescents Attending Youth Shelters in Korea.
10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.495
- Author:
Seung Ju LEE
1
;
Yong Hyun CHO
;
Chul Sung KIM
;
Bong Suk SHIM
;
In Rae CHO
;
Jae Il CHUNG
;
Jeong Gu LEE
;
Min Eui KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. cmcuro@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Chlamydia trachomatis;
Neisseria gonorrhoeae;
Adolescent;
Adolescent Health Services;
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adolescent Behavior;
Adult;
Child;
Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology;
Chlamydia trachomatis/*genetics;
Female;
Gonorrhea/diagnosis/*epidemiology;
*Homeless Youth;
Humans;
Korea/epidemiology;
Male;
Mass Screening/*methods;
Neisseria gonorrhoeae/*genetics;
Population Surveillance/methods;
Questionnaires;
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
Risk Factors;
Sexual Behavior
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2004;19(4):495-500
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We conducted the screening of sexually transmitted infections to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among homeless adolescents (10-19 yr old) in Korea. Adolescents who ran away from home and are under the care of youth shelters in ten cities in Korea served as the study population. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTec(TM)ET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD, U.S.A.). A total of 175 adolescents from 15 youth shelters took part in the study. Their median age was 16 yr, and 54.9% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae among homeless adolescents was 12.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with the infections were number of sexual partners during the past year and lifetime. This is the first community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening among adolescent in Korea. Screening programs targeting sexually active adolescents are important for detection of STIs. They should be considered an alternative population-based surveillance system in order to control STIs nationally.
