Background:
In March of 2000 The Los Angeles County (LAC) Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) began testing men who have sex with men (MSM) for syphilis and other STDs, including HIV, in the nation’s largest county jail.

Objective:
To describe implementation of STD screening in a high risk incarcerated population. To describe plans to reduce risk of STD transmission among inmates while incarcerated.

Content:
There will be an opening presentation describing the background of why and how the screening of MSM in LAC jail began. Following will be a description of the current delivery of services that are being provided, including the follow-up and case management of those testing positive and examples of working with such a diverse group. There will be a discussion about how the project has expanded to include a select group of general population inmates.

An epidemiological presentation will provide information regarding the significance of testing of MSM in the jail versus the general population. The final presentation will include a discussion of the rational and proposed plans to distribute condoms into the correctional setting.

Implications for Programs:
Testing those in the MSM unit is a unique opportunity to detect, treat and educate many high-risk individuals. This testing project can be used to assist public health authorities with the syphilis elimination initiative and control of other STDs.

Implications for Research:
Continued evaluation and research of behavioral data being collected on the MSM population will reveal a clearer picture of the importance of educating and offering testing to incarcerated individuals.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Outline and discuss one way to implement STD screening in a high-risk population within a correctional setting.
2. Explain the importance of STD education and testing of those who are incarcerated, targeting high-risk activities inside and outside of jail, whether they be MSM or general population inmates.

Contact Information:
Deborah Carr / Phone 213-744-3343 / dcarr@dhs.co.la.ca.us