Abstract
High rates of infection for chlamydia and gonorrhea have been noted among youths involved in the juvenile justice system. Although both individual and community-level factors have been found to be associated with sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk, their relative importance has not been tested in this population. A two-level logistic regression analysis was completed to assess the influence of individual-level and community-level predictors on STD test results among arrested youths processed at a centralized intake facility. Results from weighted two level logistic regression analyses (n = 1,368) indicated individual-level factors of gender (being female), age, race (being African American), and criminal history predicted the youths’ positive STD status. For the community-level predictors, concentrated disadvantage significantly and positively predicted the youths’ STD status. Implications of these findings for future research and public health policy are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aral, S. O., & Wasserheit, J. N. (1995). Interactions among HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, socioeconomic status, and poverty in women. In A. O’Leary & L. S. Jemmott (Eds.), Women at risk: Issues in the primary prevention of AIDS. New York: Plenum.
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). (2005). The use of HIV/AIDS surveillance data for prevention, care, policy, research and evaluation: A focus on Florida, Washington, Alabama, and Wyoming. Washington DC.
Barthlow, D. J., Horan, P. F., DiClemente, R. J., & Lanier, M. M. (1995). Correlates of condom use among incarcerated adolescents in a rural state. Journal of Criminal Justice Behavior, 22, 295–306. doi:10.1177/0093854895022003007.
Baumer, E. P., & South, S. J. (2001). Community effects on youth sexual activity. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 63, 540–554. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00540.x.
Belenko, S., Dembo, R., Rollie, M., Childs, K., & Salvatore, C. (2008a). Detecting, preventing, and treating sexually transmitted infections among adolescent offenders: An unmet public health need. American Journal of Public Health (in press).
Belenko, S., Dembo, R., Weiland, D., Rollie, M., Salvatore, C., Hanlon, A., & Childs, K. (2008b). Recently arrested adolescents are at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 35, 758–763.
Bell, T. A., Farrow, J. A., Stamm, W. E., Critchlow, C. W., & Holmes, K. K. (1985). Sexually transmitted diseases in females in a juvenile detention center. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2, 140–144.
Billy, J. O. G., Brewster, K. L., & Grady, W. R. (1994). Contextual effects on the sexual behavior of adolescent women. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56, 387–404. doi:10.2307/353107.
Blau, P. (1977). Inequality and heterogeneity. New York: Free.
Brewster, K. L. (1994). Racial differences in sexual activity among adolescent women: The role of neighborhood characteristics. American Sociological Review, 59, 408–424. doi:10.2307/2095941.
Brewster, K. L., Billy, J. O. G., & Grady, W. R. (1993). Social context and adolescent behavior: The impact of community on the transition to sexual activity. Social Forces, 71, 713–740. doi:10.2307/2579892.
Brooks-Gunn, J., Duncan, G. J., Klebanov, P. K., & Sealand, N. (1993). Do neighborhoods influence child and adolescent development? American Journal of Sociology, 99, 353–395. doi:10.1086/230268.
Browning, C. R., Leventhal, T., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2005). Sexual initiation in early adolescence: The nexus of parental and community control. American Sociological Review, 70, 758–778.
Browning, C. R., & Olinger-Wilbon, M. (2003). Neighborhood disadvantage, social organization, and number of short-term sexual partnerships. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 65, 730–745. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00730.x.
Bursik, R. J. (1988). Social disorganization and theories of crime and delinquency: Problems and prospects. Criminology, 26, 519–551. doi:10.1111/j.1745-9125.1988.tb00854.x.
Bursik, R. J., & Grasmick, H. G. (1993). Neighborhoods and crime: The dimensions of effective neighborhood control. New York: Lexington.
Burstein, G. R., Gaydos, C. A., Diener-West, M., Howell, M. R., Zenilman, J. M., & Quinn, T. C. (1998). Incident chlamydia trachomatis infections among inner-city adolescent females. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280, 521–526. doi:10.1001/jama.280.6.521.
Canterbury, R. J., McGarvey, E. L., Sheldon-Keller, A. E., Waite, D., Reams, P., & Koopman, C. (1995). Prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors and STDs among incarcerated adolescents. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 17, 173–177. doi:10.1016/1054-139X(95)00043-R.
Cattarello, A. M. (2000). Community level influences on individuals social bond, peer associations, and delinquency: A multilevel analysis. Justice Quarterly, 17(1), 33–60. doi:10.1080/07418820000094471.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1998). HIV prevention through early detection and treatment of other sexually transmitted diseases: United States recommendations of the advisory committee for HIV and STD prevention. MMWR, 47(rr12), 1–24.
Centers for Disease Control, Prevention (CDC). (1996). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 1995. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control, Prevention (CDC). (2002). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 2001. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control, Prevention (CDC). (2006). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2005 supplement, chlamydia prevalence monitoring project annual report 2005. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chacko, M., Barnes, C., Wiemann, C., & DiClemente, R. (2004). Implementation of urine testing for chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NGC) in a community clinic. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 146–153.
Cohen, D., Mason, K., Bedimo, A., Scribner, R., Basolo, V., & Farley, T. (2003). Neighborhood physical conditions and health. American Journal of Public Health, 93(3), 467–470. doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.3.467.
Crane, J. (1991). The epidemic theory of ghettos and neighborhood effects on dropping out and teenage childbearing. American Journal of Sociology, 96(5), 1226–1259. doi:10.1086/229654.
Dembo, R., Shemwell, M., Guida, J., Schmeidler, J., Baumgartner, W., Ramirez-Garnica, G., et al. (1999). A comparison of self-report, urine sample, and hair sample testing for drug use: A longitudinal study. In T. Mieczkowski (Ed.), Drug testing methods: Assessment and evaluation. New York: CRC.
Dembo, R., Turner, G., Sue, C. C., Schmeidler, J., Borden, P., & Manning, D. (1994). An assessment of the Florida department of health and rehabilitative services detention risk assessment instrument on youths screened and processed at the Hillsborough County juvenile assessment center. Journal of Child & Adolescent Abuse, 4(1), 45–77. doi:10.1300/J029v04n01_04.
DiClemente, R. J., Crittenden, C. P., Rose, E., Sales, J. M., Wingood, G. M., Crosby, R. A., et al. (2008). Psychosocial predictors of HIV-associated sexual behaviors and the efficacy of prevention interventions in adolescents at-risk for HIV infection: What works and what doesn’t work? Psychosomatic Medicine, 70, 598–605. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181775edb.
DiClemente, R. J., Wingood, G. M., Crosby, R., Sionean, C., Cobb, B. K., Harrington, K., et al. (2001). Parental monitoring: Association with adolescents’ risk behavior. Pediatrics, 107, 1363–1368. doi:10.1542/peds.107.6.1363.
Driscoll, A. K., Sugland, B. W., Manlove, J., & Papillo, A. R. (2005). Community opportunity, perceptions of opportunity, and the odds of an adolescent birth. Youth & Society, 37(1), 33–61. doi:10.1177/0044118X04267493.
Elliott, D. S., Wilson, W. J., Huizinga, D., Sampson, R. J., Elliott, A., & Rankin, B. (1996). The effects of neighborhood disadvantage on adolescent development. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 33, 389–426. doi:10.1177/0022427896033004002.
Ennett, S. T., Federman, E. B., Bailey, S. L., Ringwalt, C. L., & Hubbard, M. L. (1999). HIV-risk behaviors associated with homelessness characteristics in youth. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 25, 344–353. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00043-9.
Farely, T. A. (2006). Sexually transmitted diseases in the southeastern United States: Location, race, and the social context. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 7, 58–64. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000175378.20009.5a.
Gottfredson, D. C., McNeil, R. J., & Gottfredson, G. (1991). Social area influences on delinquency: A multilevel analysis. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 28, 197–226. doi:10.1177/0022427891028002005.
Hipp, J. R. (2007). Block, tract, and level of aggregation: Neighborhood structure and crime and disorder as a case in point. American Sociological Review, 72, 659–680.
Hogan, D. P., Astone, N. M., & Kitagawa, E. M. (1985). Social and environmental factors influencing contraceptive use among black adolescents. Family Planning Perspectives, 17(4), 165–169. doi:10.2307/2135241.
Hogan, D., & Kitagawa, E. (1985). The impact of social status, family structure, and neighborhood on the fertility of black adolescents. American Journal of Sociology, 90, 825–855. doi:10.1086/228146.
Joesoef, M. R., Kahn, R. H., & Weinstock, H. S. (2006). Sexually transmitted diseases in incarcerated adolescents. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 44–48. doi:10.1097/01.qco.0000199020.58075.1a.
Kahn, R. H., Mosure, D. J., Blank, S., Kent, C. K., Chow, J. M., Boudov, M. R., et al. (2005). Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea prevalence and coinfection in adolescents entering selected US juvenile detention centers. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 32(4), 255–259. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000158496.00315.04.
Kingree, J. B., Braithwaite, R., & Woodring, T. (2000). Unprotected sex as a function of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescent detainees. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 27, 179–185. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(00)00101-4.
Krieger, N., Waterman, P. D., Chen, J. T., Soobader, M., & Subramanian, S. (2003). Monitoring socioeconomic inequalities in sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, and violence: Geocoding and choice of area-based socioeconomic measures—the public health disparities geocoding project (US). Public Health Reports, 118, 240–260.
Ku, L., Sonenstein, F. L., & Pleck, J. (1993). Neighborhood, family, and work: Influences on the premarital behaviors of adolescent males. Social Forces, 72, 479–503. doi:10.2307/2579858.
Kubrin, C. E., & Weitzer, R. (2003). New directions in social disorganization theory. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 40(4), 374–402. doi:10.1177/0022427803256238.
Leventhal, T., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2000). The neighborhoods they live in: The effects of neighborhood residents on child and adolescent outcomes. Psychological Bulletin, 126(2), 309–337. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.126.2.309.
Liska, A. E. (1990). The significance of aggregate dependent variables and contextual independent variables for linking macro and/micro theories. Social Psychology Quarterly, 53, 292–301. doi:10.2307/2786735.
Lofy, K. H., Hofmann, J., Mosure, D. J., Fine, D. N., & Marrazzo, J. M. (2006). Chlamydial infections among female adolescents screened in juvenile detention centers in Washington State, 1998–2002. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 33(2), 63–67. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000199761.55420.e8.
Malow, R. M., Devieux, J. G., Jennings, T., Lucenko, B. A., & Kalichman, S. C. (2001). Substance- abusing adolescents at varying levels of HIV risk: Psychosocial characteristics, drug use, and sexual behavior. Journal of Substance Abuse, 13, 103–117. doi:10.1016/S0899-3289(01)00069-4.
Mertz, K. J., Voigt, R. A., Hutchins, K., & Levine, W. C. (2002). Findings from STD screening of adolescents and adults entering corrections facilities: Implications for STD control strategies. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 29(12), 834–839. doi:10.1097/00007435-200212000-00016.
Morris, R. E., Baker, C. J., Valentine, M., & Pennisi, A. J. (1998). Variations in HIV risk behaviors of incarcerated juveniles during a four-year period. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 23, 39–48. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(97)00268-1.
Morris, R. E., Harrison, E. A., Knox, G. W., Tromanhauser, E., Marquis, D. K., & Watts, L. L. (1995). Health risk behavioral survey from 39 juvenile correctional facilities in the United States. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 17, 334–344. doi:10.1016/1054-139X(95)00098-D.
Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2007). Mplus user’s guide (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.
Pack, R. P., DiClemente, R. J., Hook, E. W., & Oh, K. M. (2000). High prevalence of asymptomatic STDs in incarcerated minority male youth: A case for screening. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 27(3), 175–177. doi:10.1097/00007435-200003000-00011.
Ramirez-Valles, J., Zimmerman, M. A., & Juarez, L. (2002). Gender differences of neighborhood and social control processes: A study of the timing of first intercourse among low-achieving, urban, African American youth. Youth & Society, 33(3), 418–441. doi:10.1177/0044118X02033003004.
Raudenbush, S., Bryk, A., & Congdon, R. (2005). HLM6: Hierarchical linear & nonlinear modeling. Lincolnwood, IL: Scientific Software International, Inc.
Risser, J., Risser, W. L., Gefter, L. R., Brandstetter, D. M., & Cromwell, P. F. (2001). Implementation of a screening program for chlamydial infection in incarcerated adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 28(1), 43–46. doi:10.1097/00007435-200101000-00010.
Robertson, A., & Levin, M. L. (1999). AIDS knowledge, condom attitudes, and risk-taking sexual behavior of substance-abusing juvenile offenders on probation or parole. AIDS Education and Prevention, 11(5), 450–461.
Robertson, A. A., Thomas, C. B., Lawrence, J., & Pack, R. (2005). Predictors of infection with chlamydia or gonorrhea in incarcerated adolescents. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 32(3), 115–122. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000151419.11934.1b.
Sampson, R. J., & Groves, W. B. (1989). Community structures and crime: Testing social disorganization theory. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 774–802. doi:10.1086/229068.
Sampson, R. J., Morenoff, J. D., & Earls, F. (1999). Beyond social capital: Spatial dynamics of collective efficacy for children. American Sociological Review, 64, 633–660. doi:10.2307/2657367.
Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy. Science, 277, 918–924. doi:10.1126/science.277.5328.918.
Shafer, M. A., Hilton, J. F., Ekstrand, M., Keogh, J., Gee, L., DiGiorgio, L., et al. (1993). Relationship between drug use and sexual behaviors and the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases among high-risk male youth. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 20, 307–313. doi:10.1097/00007435-199320060-00002.
Shahmanesh, M., Gayed, S., Ashcroft, M., Smith, R., Roopnarainsingh, R., Dunn, J., et al. (2000). Geomapping of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Birmingham. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 76, 268–272. doi:10.1136/sti.76.4.268.
Shaw, C. R., & McKay, H. D. (1969). Juvenile delinquency and urban areas (Rev ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
South, S. J., & Baumer, E. P. (2001). Community effects on the resolution of adolescent premarital pregnancy. Journal of Family Issues, 22(8), 1025–1043. doi:10.1177/019251301022008004.
South, S. J., & Crowder, K. D. (1999). Neighborhood effects on family formation: Concentrated poverty and beyond. American Sociological Review, 64, 113–132. doi:10.2307/2657281.
Spitalnick, J. S., DiClemente, R. J., Wingood, G. M., Crosby, R. A., Milhausen, J. M., McCarty, F., et al. (2007). Brief report: Sexual sensation seeking and its relationship to risky sexual behavior among African-American adolescent females. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 165–173. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.10.002.
Stahl, A., Finnegan, T., & Kang, W. (2006). Easy access to juvenile court statistics: 1985-2003. Available online: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/ezajcs.
Sucoff, C. A., & Upchurch, D. M. (1998). Neighborhood context and the risk of childbearing among metropolitan-area black adolescents. American Sociological Review, 63, 571–585. doi:10.2307/2657268.
Teplin, L. A., Elkington, K. S., McClelland, G. M., Abram, K. M., Mericle, A. A., & Washburn, J. J. (2005). Major mental disorders, substance use disorders, comorbidity, and HIV-AIDS risk behaviors in juvenile detainees. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 56(7), 823–828. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.56.7.823.
Teplin, L. A., Mericle, A. A., McClelland, G. M., & Abram, K. M. (2003). HIV and AIDS risk behaviors in juvenile detainees: Implications for public health policy. American Journal of Public Health, 93(6), 906–912. doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.6.906.
Upchurch, D. M., Aneshensel, C. S., Sucoff, C. A., & Levy-Storms, L. (1999). Neighborhood and family contexts of adolescent sexual activity. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61, 920–933. doi:10.2307/354013.
Voisin, D. R., DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., Crosby, R. A., & Yaber, W. L. (2006). Ecological factors associated with STD risk behaviors among detained female adolescents. Social Work, 51(3), 71–79.
Wooldredge, J. (2002). Examining the (ir)relevance of aggregation bias for multilevel studies of neighborhoods and crime with an example comparing census tracts to official neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Criminology, 40(3), 681–706. doi:10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00970.x.
Acknowledgments
Preparation of this manuscript was supported by Grant # DA020346, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The authors are grateful for their support. However, the research results reported and the views expressed in the paper do not necessarily imply any policy or research endorsement by our funding agency. We would like to thank the Hillsborough County, FL Juvenile Assessment Center and the Hillsborough County Health Department. We also appreciate Dr. Paul Greenbaum’s general advice on our analyses, as well as those of the Editor and reviewers.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dembo, R., Belenko, S., Childs, K. et al. Individual and community risk factors and sexually transmitted diseases among arrested youths: a two level analysis. J Behav Med 32, 303–316 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-009-9205-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-009-9205-8