Authors:
Address: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. lbonney@emory.edu
Journal:

Publication:

abstract

BACKGROUND:

High incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in blacks have been attributed to multiple factors. However, few articles have discussed spatial Access to healthcare as a driver of disparities. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between travel time to a healthcare provider and the likelihood of testing positive for 1 of 3 STIs in a sample of adults living in public housing.

METHODS:

One hundred and eight black adults in Atlanta, GA from November 2008 to June 2009, completed a survey that queried sexual behavior and healthcare use and had urine tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis by molecular methods. Travel time was a continuous variable capturing the number of minutes it took to reach the place where participants received most of their care. Multivariate analyses tested the hypothesis that individuals reporting longer travel times would be more likely to test positive for an STI. Travel time was squared to linearize its relationship to the outcome.

RESULTS:

Thirty-six residents (37.5%) tested positive for ≥1 STI. A curvilinear relationship existed between travel time and STI status. When travel time was <48 minutes, a positive relationship existed between travel time and the odds of testing positive for an STI. An inverse relationship existed when travel time was ≥48 minutes.

CONCLUSION:

Residents of impoverished communities experience a curvilinear relationship between travel time and STI status. We discuss possible factors that might have created this curvilinear relationship, including voluntary social isolation.

Related Articles
Subsequent sexually transmitted infections among adolescent women with genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Trichomonas vaginalis.
Sex Transm Dis. 1999
Subsequent sexually transmitted infections among adolescent women with genital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Trichomonas vaginalis.
Fortenberry JD, Brizendine EJ, Katz BP, Wools KK, Blythe MJ, Orr DP. Sex Transm Dis. 1999 Jan; 26(1):26-32.
Sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infection prevalence in an outpatient psychiatry clinic.
Sex Transm Dis. 2008
Sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infection prevalence in an outpatient psychiatry clinic.
King C, Feldman J, Waithaka Y, Aban I, Hu J, Zhang S, Hook E 3rd, Bachmann LH. Sex Transm Dis. 2008 Oct; 35(10):877-82.
Factors associated with the prevalence and incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among African American women in New York city who use drugs.
J Infect Dis. 2008
Factors associated with the prevalence and incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among African American women in New York city who use drugs.
Miller M, Liao Y, Gomez AM, Gaydos CA, D'Mellow D. J Infect Dis. 2008 Feb 15; 197(4):503-9.
Sexual behaviors after universal screening of sexually transmitted infections in healthy young women.
Obstet Gynecol. 2007
Sexual behaviors after universal screening of sexually transmitted infections in healthy young women.
Hwang LY, Shafer MA, Pollack LM, Chang YJ, Boyer CB. Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jan; 109(1):105-13.
Review Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STI) using self-collected non-invasive specimens.
Sex Health. 2004
Review Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STI) using self-collected non-invasive specimens.
Garland SM, Tabrizi SN. Sex Health. 2004; 1(2):121-6.

To top • Home

---

Show map | Diseases | Vaccination | Chronic disease | Medicine | Pregnancy | Heat & Sunburn | Cold | Security | Useful tips | Faq | News

TraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster