Comparison of Opt-In Versus Opt-Out Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Inmates in a County Jail

This study compares an opt-out approach at intake to opt-in testing during incarceration and estimates the prevalence of common STIs among jail inmates. Data derive from a universal intake pilot testing program (n = 298) and an established, student-led voluntary testing program (n = 1,963), respectively. The adjusted prevalence as well as the odds of testing positive for chlamydia were significantly higher in the opt-out program (p = .025 and .008, respectively) than the opt-in program but not for gonorrhea (p = .402 and .300, respectively). These results demonstrate the potential public health benefit of implementation of universal STI testing of jail inmates.

Source: Journal of Correctional Health Care - September 16, 2015 Category: Health Management Authors: Shaikh, R. A., Simonsen, K. A., O'Keefe, A., Earley, M., Foxall, M., Islam, K. M., Person, A., Boyle, C., Sandkovsky, U., Margalit, R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research