title: Male Incarceration Rates and Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections: Results From a Longitudinal Analysis in a Southeastern US City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United States, rates of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing. Contextual factors seem to play an important role in shaping STI transmission dynamics. This longitudinal study explores the relationship between one contextual determinant of health (the male incarceration rate) and rates of newly diagnosed STIs in census tracts in Atlanta, GA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of all census tracts in Atlanta (n = 946). Annual data on STI diagnoses were drawn from the Georgia surveillance system for 2005 to 2010; annual male incarceration data were drawn from the Georgia Department of Corrections for 2005 to 2010; and data on potential confounders were drawn from the US Census. Multivariable growth models were used to examine the association between the male incarceration rate and rates of newly diagnosed STIs, controlling for covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Census tracts with higher baseline male incarceration rates had a higher baseline rate of newly diagnosed STIs. Census tracts with increasing male incarceration rates experienced a more rapid increase in their rate of newly diagnosed STIs. Census tracts with medium and high baseline male incarceration rates experienced a decrease in their rate of newly diagnosed STIs over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study strengthens the evidence that male incarceration rates have negative consequences on sexual health outcomes, although the relationship may be more nuanced than originally thought. Future multilevel research should explore individual sexual risk behaviors and networks in the context of high male incarceration rates to better understand how male incarceration shapes rates of STIs.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RIUSA; †Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Emily F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Dauria
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elifson
authors.forename: Kimberly Jacob
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Arriola
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wingood
authors.forename: Hannah L F
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data