The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections in young women inmates aged 17-21 located on the Youth Offenders Institute of HMP Holloway. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a urine sample for analysis. A health advisor administered a questionnaire to establish sociodemographic profile, sexual history and illicit drug use. C. trachomatis was diagnosed using a nucleic acid amplification test. Overall, the prevalence of C. trachomatis was 13.2%. Drug use was common with 41.2% using crack cocaine and 17.3% using intravenous heroin. A majority (80.2%) reported not using condoms during the last sexual encounter and 62.6% had a history of a previous pregnancy. Over half (53.3%) had a previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and 74.7% had never been previously diagnosed with a STI. Sexual health programmes in prisons should include screening as well as education about STI risk reduction and drug prevention.

Self-reports of disease from relatives are generally believed to be more detailed than those received from a family informant, although differential participation may exist among the relatives who provide information. To investigate the potential for differential participation, we requested permission to contact relatives of mothers (informants) who had provided family history information for a population-based case-control study of orofacial clefts. Birth defect and cancer self-reports were received from 345 (65.6%) case and 380 (68.8%) control relatives. Participants and nonparticipants differed little by type (maternal or paternal) or degree of relationship. Informants, however, were more likely to permit contact with relatives who were maternal, first-degree and female. Relatives appeared willing to provide self-reports, although the potential for differential selection introduced by informants should be considered.

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