Predictors of infection with Chlamydia or gonorrhea in incarcerated adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence, multiple correlates, and gender differences in chlamydia and gonorrhea infections among adolescents, aged 13 to 18, incarcerated in a youth detention center in the southern region of the United States.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with juvenile offenders' sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk that may guide the development of interventions specifically tailored for this population.


METHODS
The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey.


RESULTS
Rates of undiagnosed chlamydia were 24.7% for incarcerated girls and 8.1% for boys. Gonorrhea was detected in 7.3% of the girls and 1.5% of the boys. Predictors of STD positivity differed for boys and girls. Demographic characteristics (gender, race, and age) account for 52% of the total variance in STD infections; youths' behavior accounts for approximately one third of the total variance, and psychologic and family variables account for 8.6% and 7.2% of the total variance, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
An approach that considers psychologic and social influences on adolescent sexual behavior is useful for identifying potential risk and protective factors of adolescent STD/HIV risk that are amenable to intervention.
Robertson
Angela A
AA
Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, MS 39762, USA. angela.robertson@ssrc.msstate.edu
Thomas
Connie Baird
CB
St Lawrence
Janet S
JS
Pack
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires