Individual and community risk factors and sexually transmitted diseases among arrested youths: a two level analysis.
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.
Dembo
Richard
R
Criminology Department, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. jac@gate.net
Belenko
Steven
S
Childs
Kristina
K
Wareham
Jennifer
J
Schmeidler
James
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003042:Cocaine / Q000652:urine; D003415:Crime; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000652:urine; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D003042:Cocaine